New-Englands plantation : with the sea journal and other writings

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ij iro£>^ UT T 428 182

PLANTATION

WITH

The Sea yournal and
Other Writings

By Rev. Francis Higginson

First Minister of the Plantation at Salem
in the Massachusetts Bay Colony

The Essex Book and Print Club

SALEM MASSACHUSETTS
1908

^HE Rev. Francis Higginson's
' New-Englands Plantation/'
London, 1630, reprinted in
facsimile, the first publication
of The Essex Book and Print Club, is
ready for delivery to members. The vol-
ume is an octavo of one hundred and thir-
ty-three pages, containing a facsimile of
the rare first edition from a copy in the
John Carter Brown Library and a reprint
of the third edition, which has much ad-

B

|9€ JliiMl mtetiig or t»t earn Book
m Priit eiaD iMll be beia f emuary
17tb, 1909, M $ P. m. «t tfte €l$CX

Tutitiite* saleii. Kepom wHl N prmiit(4 md
ictiOK Mk(i NpoM m By-DiM Nretofore a4ovt(4
for ilK tern of oMe yew. Cftere Mil be oi exM-
Mtioi IM m Pictire 6«nenf of tbe Tiwftiite, a
large collectioM of QMcoliim-iuniiiicririi,
portram, neOali, etc., leat by mr. euMtm
OPooOberry mcCellaa* of ebaa^iaiii* n. y.

Wmatt eronmiiiMeM ewHeott, Prenaett.
eeorge f raicii Doip» $ecretary.

Introduction

the threshold of a great career," leaving
a widow and eight children, one of whom
also became a minister and served the Sa-
lem church for nearly fifty years.

The manuscript of "New-Englands
Plantation '' probably was sent home to
England upon the return of one of the
vessels that had brought over the planters.
It was received in London before Novem-
ber 20, 1629 (see Young's " Chronicles of
the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay/' pp.
107, 242). Higginson had not expected
that it would be printed, as it was written
for "the satisfaction of loving friends'*
who had requested a letter upon his ar-
rival, giving some account of the voyage
across the Atlantic and of the newly settled
country. Only the latter part of this letter
was printed, the earlier portion, describ-
ing the voyage, not being deemed of suf-
ficient importance to be thus preserved.
Three editions were published, all bearing
date of 1630. The author's name appears
on the title-pages of the second and third
editions. In 1634 was published William
Wood's"NewEnglands Prospect," which
gave much detailed information regard-
ing the country and the settlements in the
Massachusetts Bay. This superseded the
earlier account by Higginson, and the
latter dropped out of sight and in time
[ 7 ] became

In accordance with the by-laws of the
Club, please send check for the amount
of the enclosed bill, upon receipt of which
the volume will be forwarded to your ad-
dress at once. Please make check payable
to William O. Chapman, Treasurer, The
Asiatic National Bank, Salem, Mass.

William C. Endicott, President.
George Francis Dow, Secretary.

1

/

PUBLICATIONS OF
THE ESSEX BOOK AND PRINT CLUB

No. I

NEW-ENGLANDS
PLANTATION

Gfc.

NEW^-ENGLANDS

PLANTATION*

OR,

A SHORT AND TRVE

DESCRIPTION OF THE

COMMODITIES AND

DISCOMMOOITIBS

of ifaac Coonttey.

Written by a reuerend Diuine now
there refident.

LONDON,

Primed by T.Cand7{.C.fbr WtehoHSfarh,

dvreiling at the Signe of the ^Um tibU ia

Or^MV ^jT^Mr in the little OtfBir%»

To the Reader.

^Eader^doe not difdaim to read this
1(elation^ and looke not here to

! haue a large Gate and m building
within J a fuWftt^ffed Title with no matter
in the 'Booke \ ^ut here reade the truth^ and
that thou fl)alt find without any frothy hum-
hafied t>ords^or Of^ quaint new'dfui[ed ad*
ditions^ onely as it loos "Written (not intended
for the PreJJe) hy a reuerend Diuine now
there limr^yftfho onely Jent it to feme Friends
herejTt'hichtt^ere defirous of his 'Relations .^
fifhich is an Epitomy of their proceedings in
the Plantation, Jnd for thy part if thou
meanefi to he no Planter nor Venturer^ doe
hut lend thy good Prayers for thefurthrance
ofit» And fo J refi a treU'wifljer to all the
good defignes both of them'^hich are gone^
and of them that are togoe.

M. S.

NEWENQLANDS

TLATSiTATlOK

^^a^Etting paflfe our Voyage
by Sea^we will now begin
our difcourfe on the fliorc
of NctP-EngUnA. And be-
caufe xht lire and wel-fere
of eaerie Creature here
below^andthe commodi-
oufiieffc of the Countrey
whereas fuch Creatures liue^doth bythemoft
wife ordering of Gods prouidence, depend
next vnto himfelfe, vpon the temperature and
difpofition of the foure Ekments, Earth,
Water^ Aire and Fire ( For as of the mixture
of all thefe, all fiiblunarie things are compo*
fkd J fo by the morexu: leflc inioyment ofthe
wholefome temper and conuenient vie of
thefe, conf ifteth die onely well-being both of
Man and Beaft in a more ox lefle comfortable
meafure in all Countrey s vnder the Hcanens)
Therefore I will endeauoiif tofliewyouwhat
T^w-EagUnd is by the confideration of each
of thefe apart^and truly endeauour by Cods
hdpe to report nothing but the naked truth
and that both to tell you of the difcotamodi-
ties as well as of the commodities^ though a$

B the

the idle Proucrbe is, TrdueUers tad^ lye fy
thmtie, and Co may take too much {infull li-
Bertie diat wav. Yet I may (ay of my felfc as
once NehemUh did in another cafe : shMfiub
4 Mm m iljef No verily : It becommeth
not a Preadicr of Truth to be a Writer of
FaUhood in any degree : and therefore f haue
beene'Carefull to repoit nothing of Nevf-
Bv^Und but what I haue partly fcene with
mine owne Eyes, and pardy heard and enqui-
red from the Mouthes of verie honeft and
religious perfon, who by Uuing in the Coun-
trey a good fpace of time haue had experience
and knowle(^e of the fiate thoreof, & whofe
tefiimonies 1 doe beleeue as my felfe.

Firftthereforeofthe£arthofiWr»>-£)svi;ur^
and all the appurtenances thereof :It is a Land
of diuers and fiindry ^s all about Mdptthu"
lets Bay, andat Charles Riuer is as &t blacke
Earth as can be feene aiw where : and in other
places you haue a clay ioyle, in other grauell,
in other randy,as it is all about our Plantation
^ Salem^fot fo our Towne is now named,
Ffal. 7^.3.

The forme of the Eatth here in the fuper-
fides of it is neither too Bat in the plainne0e,
nor too high in Hils, but partakes of both in
amediocritie, and fit for Pa(hire,or for Plow
or Meddowground,as Menpleaie to employ
it: tboi^h ail the Countrey be as it were a
thicke Wood for the generally yet in diuers
places there is much ground cleared by the
/9Maifs,md cfpecially about the Plantation:

and

NetP'tdglands ftaeidtieu,
andlam told that about three miles &om vs 2
Man may ftand on a litde hilly place zvd ^
diuersthoufands of acres ofgroundasgood
as need to be,and not a Tree in the lame. It is
thought here is good Clay to make Bricke
and Tyles and Earthen-Pots as needs to bc»
At this inftant we are fetdng a Bricke-KiU otk
worke to moke Brickes and Tyles for the
building of our Houfes. For Stone, here is
plentie of Slates at the lie of Slate in M^
thutets BaVyand Lime-ftone, Free-ftone, and
Smooth-uone, and Iron-ftone,and Marble^
fionealfoin fuch (lore, that we haue great
Rockes of it, and a Harbour hard by. Our
Plantation is nrom thence called Marble-har'
hour.

Of Minerals there hath yet beenebutlitde
•triall made,yet we are not without great hope
of being furnilhed in that Soyle.

The rcrtilitie of the Soyle is to be admired
at, as appeareth in the aboundance of Grafle
tliat groweth euerie where both verie thicke,
verie long, and verie high in diuei-s places:
but it erowah very wildly with a greatihdke
and a broad and ranker blade,becaufe it neuer
had been eaten with Cattle, nor mowed with
aSythe,and feldome trampled on by foot.
It is icarce to be beleeued now our Kine and
Goats, Horfes and Hogges doe thriue and
profper here and like well of this Countrcy.

In our Plantation we hauc ahready a quart
of MUke for a penny : but the abouiidant en-
creafc of Cornc proucsthisCountreytobc

B 2 a

a wofldermettt. Thime^foitie^fiftie-^^ixt^^
ordinarie heic : yea lofephs encrcafe in o^gyft
is oitt-ftript here with vs. Our Planters hope
to haue more theri a hundred fouW this yere i
and all this while I am within compafllej what
will you fay of two hundred fbuld and vp-
wards ? It is almoft incredible what great
gainc fome of our Englifli Planters haue had
by our Indian Corne. Credible perfons haue
aliiifed me, and the partie himfelfe auouched
rhe truth of it to me^that of the letting of 1 5
Gallons of Corne he hath had encreafe of it
5 2 Hc^fheads ^euerie Hoglhead holding feuen
'b}jSk^o^LonAon meafure^and euerieBufliell
was by him ibid and trufled to the IniiMt for
fo much Beauer as was worth 18 (hillings^ and
fb of this 13 Gallons of Corne which was
worth b lliJllings 8 pence, he made about %vj
pounds of it the y cere following^as by recko-
ning will ^ppeare : where you may fee how
God bleffeth husbandry in this Land. There
is notfuch great and beautifiill eares of CDrne
I fuppofe any where eift to be found but in
this Countrey : being alfo of varietie of co-
lours,as red^blew and yellow^&c. and of one
Corne there fpfingeth foure or fiue hundred.
I haue fent you many Eares of diuers colours
chat you might fee the tHJth of ir.

Little Children here by fetting of Come
may carne much more tlicn their owne main-
tenance.

They haue tryed our tnglifii Corne at new

FlifUQsah Plantation, fo that all otir feueraW

i^ Graines

NtWiBe^ldMb PUotatUe,

Graines will grow here verie well, and haue a
fitting Soyle for their nature.

Our Gouernour hath ftore of greene Peafe
growing in his Garden as good as euerleat
in B^Uni*

Tliis Coufttrcy aboundeth naturally with
ftore of Roots of great varietie and good to
eat. Our Turnips, Parfnips and Carrots arc
here both bigger and fwceterthcn is ordina-
rily to be found in E»gUi>d» Here arealfo ftore
of Pumpions,Cowcumbers,and other thmgs
of that nature which 1 know not* Alfo,diuers
excellent Pot-herbs grow abundantly among
the Grade, as'Strawberrieleaues inail places
of the Countrcy,and plentie of Strawberries
in their time, and Peny royall, Winterfauerie,
SorrelI,Brookelittie,Liuerwort, Caruell and
Watercireifes,alfo Leekcs and Onions are or-
dinarie,and diuers Phyfieall H^^rbes. Here are
alfo aboundancc of other fweetHerbcs de-
lightfuU to the fmell, whole names we know
not,&c. and plentie of (iogle Damaske Roles
verie fweet j and two kmds of Herbes that
bearetwokindof flowers very fweet, which
they fay, are as good 5o make Cordage or
Clbathasany HempeorFlaxe we haue*

Excellent Vines are here vp and downc in
the Woods* Our Gouernour hath akeady
planted a Vineyard with great hope of en-

Alft>,Mulbcries, PtamSj Rafpberies, Cor-
rance,Chefnuts,Filberds,Waluws,Smalnucs,
Hurtleberies & Hawes of Whiteihorne neere

B 3 as

Nfw-ingUnds Plantatkn.

as good as our Cherries in Engltmi^ixy grow
inplentiehere.

For Wood there is no better in the World
I thinke, here being foure forts of Oke diffe-
ring both in the Leafe, Timber, and Colour,
tISi excellent good. There is al/b good Alb,
ElmejWillow,Birch,Beech,Saxafras,Iuniper
Cipres,Cedar,Spruce,Pines & Firrethat will
yeeld abundance of Turpentine,Pitch,Tarre,
Mafts and other materials for building both
of Ships and Houfes. Alfo here are ftore of
Sumacke Trees, they are good for ^yiti% and
tanning of Leather,iikewifc fuch Trees yii^M
a precious Gum tailed White Bcniamen, that
they fay is excellent for perfumes^. Alfo here
be diucrl Roots and Berries wherewith the
InitAns dye excellent holy day colours that no
raine nor wafliing can alter. Alfo, wee haue
materials to make Sope-Aflies and Salt-Peter
in aboundance.

For Bcafts there arc fome Beares, and they
fay fome Lyons alfo ; for they haue becnfeen
at Cape Anne. Alfo here are feuerall forts of
Deere, fome whereof bring three or foure
young ones at once, which is not ordinarie vx
EngUnd. Alfo Wolues, Foxes, Beauers,Ot-
ters,Martins,great wild Cats, & a great Beaft
called a Molke as bigge as an Oxe J haue k^n
the Skins of all thefe Beafts lince I came to
this Plantation excepting Lyons* Alfo here
arc great ftore of Squcrrels,fome greater,and
fome fmaller and lefler : there are fome of the
lefler fort,they tell me,thatby a cenaine Skin

wiU

will fly from Tree to Tree though they ftand
ferrediftant,

Of the ffAUrs ^/New-England mth tbetbings
hlMging t9^ thefime.

NBW'EngUnd hath Water enough both
fait and frefli, the greateft Sea in the
World, the -rfr/^/i^/dtf Sea runs all along the
Coaft thereof.There are abundance of Ilands
along the Shore,fomefull of Wood and Maft
to feed S%vine5 and others cleere of Wood,
and friiitfuU to beare Corne. Alfowehaue
ftorc of excellent harbours for Ships, as at
Cape Ame^md at Majathulets Bay, and at
Salem^ and at many other places rand they are
the better becaufc for Strangers there is a ve*
rie difficult and dangerous palTage into them,
but vnto fuch as are well acquainted with
them, they arc eafie and fafe enough. The
aboundance of Sea-Fi(h arc almofl: beyond
beleeuing,and fure I fliould fcarce haue belce-
uedit except I had feene it with mine owne
Eyes^ I faw great ftore of Whales, and
CrampuUe, and fuch aboundance of Make-
rils that it would aftonifh one to behold,like'
wile Cod-Fifli aboundance on the Coaft,and
in their feafon are plentifully taken.Thereis a
Fiih called a Bafle,a moft fv/cet & wholeibme
Fifli as euer I did eat, it is altogether as good
as our frefli Sammon, and the leafoa of their
comming Was begun when we came ft ft to
NcW'EngUf^ in luneyznd fo continued about

three

*hree months fpace. Of this Fi(h our Fiflier s
ttJce.many hundreds together, which I haue
fecnc lying on the fliorcto my admiration •
yea, their Nets ordinarily take more then
they are able to hale to Land^and for want of
Boats and Men they are conftrained to let a
many'goe after they haue taken them,and yet
fomctimes they fill two Boats at a time with
them* Andbefides Baffc we tdce plentie of
Scare and Thombacke, and aboundance of
Lobfters, that the leaft Boy in the Plantation
may both catch and cat what he wil of them.
Formy ownepart I was (bone cloyed with
them,they were fo greaf^and fat, and luffious.
I haue feenc fomemy felfe that haue weighed
16 pound, but others Iiaue had diuers time lb
great Lobfters as haue weighed 2 5 pound,as
they aflured me* Alfo here is aboundance of
Herring,Turbut^Sturgion,Cuskes, Hadocks,
Mullets, Eeles, Crabs^ Muskles and Oyfters.
Befide there is probabilitie that the Countrcy
is of an excellent temper for the making of
Salt: for fince our comming our Fifhcrmen
haue brought home vcrie good Salt which
they found candied by the (landing of the Sea
water and the heat of the Sunne,vpon a Rock
by the Sea Ihore : and! in diuers S^t Mariflies
tlkt fome haue gone through,they haue found
fome Salt in fome places cruihing vnder their
Feet and deauing to their Shoes.

And as for fiem Water the Countrey is full
of daintie Spriiigs,and fome great Riuers,and
fome lefler Brookes^and sitMd/ithuUtshzy

they

they dIggcdWels and found Water it three
Foot dccpe in moft piaces : and neere SaUm
they haueas fine cleare Water as we can de-
fire, and we may digge Wels and find Water
where we lift.

Thus we fee both Land and Sea abound
with (tore of bleffings for the comfortable
fuftenance of Mans mc in New^EpgUnd.

Of the Aire ^New-England mth the Temfer
Md Great fires in it.

^Y*fe Temper of the Aire oiNew-EngUnd
X is one fpeciall thing that commends this
place. Experience doth manifeft that there is
hardly aiuore healthfuU place to be found in
the World that agrecth better with our En-
glifliBodyes. Many that haue beene weake
and fickly in old EngUnd^hy comming hither
haiw beene thoroiighly healed and growne
healthful! and ftrong. For here is an extraor-
dinarieclecre and dry Aire that is of a moft'
healing nature to all fuch as are of aCold^
Melancholy^Flegmatick^Reumaticke temper
of Body • None can more truly fpeake hereof
by their owne experience then mvfclfe. My
Friends that knew me can well tell how veric
fickly Ihaue been and continually in Phyfick,
being much troubled with a tormenting paine
through an extraordinarie weaknefie of my
Stomacke^and aboundance of Melancholicke
humorsjbut fince I came hither on this Voy-
agC) I thanke Cod I haue had perfe<^ healthy

C and

and freed from painc and vomitings, hauing a
Sromacke to digeft the hardeft and courfeft
fare who before could not cat fineft meatjand
whereas my Stomacke could onely digeft and
did require fuch drinke as was both ftrong
and ftalc, now I can and doe oftentimes drink
NcW'Enghnd water veric welljand I that hauc
not gone without a Cap for many yeeres to-
gether, neither durft leaue off the fame, haue
now caft away my Cap, and doe weare none
at all in the day time : and whereas before-
time I cloathed my felfe with double cloathes
and thicke Waftcoats to keepe me warme,
euen in the Summer time, I doe now goe as
thin clad as any, onely wearing a light Stuffe
Caflbcke vpon my Shirt and Stuffe Breeches
of one thicknefle without Linings. Befides,
I haue one of my Children that was formerly
moft lamentably handled with ifbre breaking
out of both his hands and feet of the Kings
Euill, but (ince became hither he i% vcrie well
ouer hce was, and there is hope of perfeft re-
couerie fhortly, euen by the verie wholefom-^
hefle of the Aire, altering, digefting and dry-
ing vp the cold and crude humors of the Bo-
dy : and therefore I thinke it is a wife cpurfe
for all cold completions to come to* take
Phyfickc in New EngUnd : for a fup of Ne^-
E^glands Aire is better then a whole draft of
om E^lands hie.

In the Summertime in the midft ofjufy
and Jugufi it is a good deale hotter then in old
England : and in Winter, Unuirj and ftbrMtf

are

are much colder as they fay: but the Spring
and Autumne are of a middle temper*

Fowks of the Aire are plentiful! h^re, and
of all forts as we haueinfisr^Af/^^asfarreas
I can leaine, and a great many of ftrange
Fovvles which we know not. Whilft I was
writing thefethings^onc of our Men brought
home an Eagle which he had killed in the
Wood : they fay they are good meat. Alfo
here are manjr' kinds of excellent Hawkes,
both Sea Hawkes and Land Hawkcs : and my
{elfe walking in the Woods with another in
company, fprung a Partridge fo biggc that
through the hcauineflfe of his Body could fly
but a little way : they that hiue killed them,
fay they are as bigge as our Hens . Here are
liiccwileaboundance of Turkies often killed
in the Woods, farre greater then our Engli/Ii
Turkies, and exceeding fat, /weet arid flefliy,
for herethe y haue aboundance of feeding all
the yecre long,as Stravvbcrries,in Siunmer all
placesare full of them,and all manner of Ber-
ries and Fruits:. In the Winter time I haue
leene Flockes of Pidgeons, and haue eaten of
them: thcv doe five from Tree to Tree as
other Birds doe,wnich our Pidgeons will not
doc in EngUndvthcy are of all colours as ours
are, but dieir wings and tayles Arefarr longer,
and therefore it is likely they fly fwifter to
efcape the terrible Hawkes in this Countrey.
In Winter time this Countrey doth abound
with wild Geefe, wild Duckes, and other Sea
Fowle,that a great pait of winter the Planters

C a haue

hane eaten nothing but roaihneat of diuers
Fowles which they hauc killed.

Thos you haue heard of the Earth, Water
and Aire of Nem-J£figUndf now it may be you
expeft fomething to befaid of the Fire pro-
portionable to the reft of the Elements.

Indeed I thinke Nev^ EngUnd may boaft of
this Element more then of all the reft : for
though it be here fomthing cold in the winter,
yet here we haue plentie of Fire to warme vs^
and that a great deale cheaper then they fell
Billets and Faggots in Londm : nay, all Eurcpe
is not able to ^ord to make fo great Fires as
Netp.EtigUnd. A poore Seruant here that is to
pofleflc but 50 Acres of Land,may afford to
giue more wood for Timber and Fire as good
as the world yeeldsjthen many Noble Men m
t^ngUnd can afford to doe.Here is good liuing
for thofe that Ipue good Fires. And although
New-England haue no Tallow to make Can-
dles ofj yet by the aboundance of the Fifli
thereof, it can afford Oyle for Lampes. Yea
our Pine-Trees that are the moftplentifuU of
all wood, doth allow vs plentie of Candles,
which are verie vfefuU in aHoufe.-andthey
are fuch Candles as the indiMs commonly
vfe,hauing no other^and they are nothing elle
but the wood of the Pine Tree douen in two
little flices fomething thin, wJhich are fo full
of the moyfture of Turpentine and Pitch,
that they burne as cleere as a Torch. I haue
fent you fome of them that you miy fee the
experience of thenu

Thus

:^

iim-^ngUnds TkntAtion.

Thus of NevO'Englands commodities, now
I will tell you of fome. di(commoditics rfiat
are here to be found.

Firft,^ In the Summer feafbn for thefe three
inonths June, luh and Augufi^ we ar« tiroubkd
much with little Flycs cdlcd Musketoes,. be-
ing the fame they are troubled with in£./;f*
€0lnp)icr^ and the Fens: and they nre notliing
but Gnats, which except they be fraoked out
of their Howies are troublelome in the night
feafon.

Secondly, In the Winter fcafon for two
months fpace the Earth is commonly couered
with Snow, which is accompanied with Iharp
biting Frofts,fomething more Iharpe then is
in old E»gU^d^md therefore are forced to
make great Fires.

ThSdly,This Countrey being verie full of
Woods and Wilderneflfcs, doth alfo much
abound with Snakes and Serpents of ftrange
colours and hi^e grcatneffc : yea there are
fome Serpents called Rattle Siiakes,that haue
Rattles in their Tayles that will not flye from
a Man as others will, but will flye vpon him
and fting him fo mortally, that he will dye
within a quarter of an houre after, except the
panie ftiiiged haue about him fome of the
root of an Hearbe called Snake weed to bite
on^ and then he (liall rcceiue no* Iiarme : but
yet feldome falles it out that any hurt is done
py thefe. About three y ceres (ince an Indian
was ftung to death by one of them,butwc
heaid of none fince that time.

C 3 Fourthly^

Tourtlily and laftly. Here -wants as yet the
good company of tioneft Chriftians to bring
with them Horfo, Kinc and Sheepe to make
vfe of this fruitful! Land .•greatpittic it is to
fbcTo much good ground tor Come and for
Graffe as any is vnder the Heauehs, to lye al-
together vnoccupicdjwhen to many honeft
Men & their Families in old England through
the populouf nefle thereof^do malce very hard
fhift CO liue one by the other.

Nowjthus you know what Nao-EngUnd
is, as alfo with the commodities and dilcom-
modities thereof: now I will fliew you a little
of the Inhabitants thereof, and their gouern-
ment.

For their Gouemours they haue Kings,
which they call Sugfam^rts^ lome grcater,and
fome leflcr, according to the number of theii-
SubieAst

Thegreatcft Sa^gamores about vs can not
make aboue three hundred Men, and othet
lefle Sdggum^es haue not aboue fifrecnc Sub-
iects, and others neere about vs but two.

Their Subiec^s about tweluc yeeres fince
were fwept away by a great and grieuous
Plague that was amongft thcm,fo that there
are vcrie few left to inhabitc the Countrey. .
The indhns are not able to make vfe or the
one fourth part of the Land,ncither haue they
any fetled places, as Townes to dwell in, nor
any ground as they challenge for their owne
poflelHon,but change their habitation from
place to place.

For

Nm-Engikndt PUntatkn.

For their Statures^thcvare a tall and ftrong
limmed Pcople^their colours are tawny^they
goenaked^faue onely they are in part coue-
red with Beafts Skins on one of their Shoid-
ders^and weare fomerhing before their Pri-
uitics: their Haire is generally blacke^and cut
before like our Gentlewomen^and one locke
longer then the reft^ muchlike to our Gentlew
mcn^vvhicb fafliion I thinke came from hence
into E»gUni.

For their weapons, they haue Bowes and
Arrowes^ fome of them, headed with Bone,
and ibme with Braffe : I haue fent you fbme
of them for an example.

The Men for the moft part Hue idlely,they
doe nothing but hunt and fifh: their wiues fet
their Corne and doe all their otiierworke.
They haue little Hbufliold fiuflfe, as a Kettle,
and fame other Veflels like Trayes, Spoonds^
Diflies and Baskets.

Their Houles are verie little and homely,
being made with fmall Poles pricked into
the ground, and fo bended andfaft'ncdatthe
tops, and on the iides they are matted with
Boughes,& couaed on the Roofe with Sedge
and old Matsjand for their beds that they take
their reft on, they haue aMat.

They doe generally profeffe to like well of
our comming and planting here j panly be^
caufe tftere is abundance of ground that they
caimotpofleflenormake vfc of, and pardy
becaufe our being here will be a meanes both
of reliefe to them when they want, andalfo a

defence

iJtW'^ts»is fUntatUn,
defence from their Enemies, wherewith (I
fay ) before this Plantation begun, they were
ofteninc^ered.

For their Religion, they doe worfliip two
Gods, a good God and an euill God: the
good God they cdl Tintum^ and their euill
God Tvhorn they fcare will doe diem hurt,
they call ^^nMfffuM.

For their dealing with vs, we neither feare
them nor trufl them, for fourtic of our Muf-
keteeres will driuc fiue hundred of them out
of the Field. We vTe them kindly, they will
comeintoourHouIes fometimes by halica
douzen or halfe a (core at a time when we are
at vi<Suds, but will aske or take nothing but
what we giue them.

We purpofc to learne their Language as
iboneas wccan,which willbeameanesto do
them good.

Oftht frefent emditm oftbePUmdtha,
a»di»b4titit,

WHcn we came firft toNeibum hk, we
found about halfea fcore Hou^,and
a faire Houfe newly built for the Gouernpur,
we found alfoaboundance of Come planted
by them,verie good and well likeing. And we
brought with vs about two hundred Paflen-
gers and Planters more, which by common
confcnr of the old Planters were all combi-
ned together into one Body Politicke, vnder
the fame Couernour.

There

>

There are in all of vs both old and new
Planters about three iHimlred, whereof two
hundred of them areletledat JV/)fam»-l»i^ow
called Sslem : and the reft haue Plamedtfaem-
(ekies at Al^Aii/Br// Bay, beginning tt> build
aTowne there which wedoecaUoSwMtv^or
Cbsrieitownit,

Wettuttarefetledat^^fewmakewhat haft
wecantobuildHouTes, fothat withinaflxHt
time we (hall haue a falre To wne.

We haue great Ordnance, wherewith we
doubt not but we (hall fortme our felues in
a (hort time to keepe out a potent Aduerfarie.
But that which is our greateft comfort, and
meanes of defence aboue all other,is,ttuit we
haue here the true Religion and holy Ordi-
nances of Almightie G^ taught amongft vs:
Thankes be toGod,we haue nere plende of
Preaching, and diligent Catechizing, with
ftrickt and careftill exercife, and good and
commendable orders to bring pur People in-
to a Chriftian conuerfation with whom we
haue to doe withall. And thus we doubt
not but God will be with vs, and
if GtdMe mth vs, »h cm

FINIS,

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

&c.

Generall Consideracons
for y^ plantacon in New
England^ w* an aunswere
to seuerall objections '

IRST it will be a service
to ye Church of great
consequence, to carry
ye gospell into those
parts of ye world, & to
raise a bulwarke agt ye
kingdos of Antichrist
wch ye Jesuits labour to reare vp in all
places of ye world.

Secondly all other churches of Europe
are brought to desolacon, & it may be
justly feared yt ye like judg^t is coining
vpon vs : & who knowes but yt God hath
provided this place to be a refuge for
many whom hee meanes to saue out of
ye generall destruction.

Thirdly the land growes weary of her
inhabitants, so that man wch 1$ ye most
precious of all creatures is here more vyle

[ 41 ] &

General Considerations^ &c.

& base then ye earth they tread upon ; so
as children neighbours & friends especially
of ye poore, are counted ye greatest bur-
dens, wch if things were right would be ye
highest earthly blessings.

Wee are growen to yt excesse&intem-
peraunce in all excesse of riot as no meane
estate almost will suffice to keepe saile w*
his equalls & hee yt fayles in it must [live]
in scorne & contempt. Hence it comes
to passe yt all arts & trades are carried in
yt deceitfull maiier & vnrighteous course,
as it is almost impossible for a good up-
right man to maintayne his chardge &
Hue cofortably in any of y«.

Fiftly ye Schooles of learning & relig-
ion are so corrupted, as (besides ye unsup-
portable chardge of this educacon) most
children, (euen ye best wittiest & of fayr-
est hopes) are perverted, corrupted & ut-
terly ouerpowered by ye multitude of
cvill examples & licentious governors of
those seminaries.

Sixtly ye whole earth is ye Lords gar-
den & hee hath giuen it to ye sons of
Adam to bee tilled & improoued by y«
why then should we stand starving here
for places of habitacon (many men spends
ing as much labour &c cost to recouer or
keepe s56tymes an acre or two of lands,
as would procure him many hundreths of
[ 42 ] acres,

General Considerations &c.

acres, as good or better in another place)
& in ye meane tyme $ufFer whole coun-
treyes as profitable for ye use of man, to
lye wast wthout any improouement.

Seaventhly, what can bee a better
worke and more noble & worthy a Chris-
tian, then to helpe to raise & support a
particular church while it is in it infancy,
& to [join] enforces wth such a copany of
faithfull people, as by a tymely assistaunce
may grow stronger & prosper, & for want
of it may be put to great hazzard if not
wholly ruinated ?

Eightly if any such as are knowne to
bee godly & line in wealth & prosperity
here, shall forsake all this to joyne
ymselves wth this church, & runne in
hazard w^h ym of hard & meane condi-
con, it will be an example of great vse
both for yeremooving of Scandall & sin-
ister & worldly respects, to giue more lyfe
to ye faith of Gods people in their prayers
for ye plantacon, & also to encourage
others to joyne ye more willingly in it.

Objections:

OBj, I. It will bee a great wrong to
or owne church & countrey to take
away the best people; & we still lay it
more open to ye judgmts feared.

[ 43 ] Aunsw. i.

General Considerations &c.

Aunsw. I. The number will be no-
thing in respect of those f- are left. 2ly
many yt liue to no vse here, more then
for their owne priuate familyes may bee
employed to a more coiiio good in another
place. 3*7 fuch as are of good vse here
may yett be so employed as ye church
shall receiue no loffe. and since Christs
coming ye church is to be conceiued as
universall wthout distincti6 of countryes,
so as hee yt doth good in any one place
serves ye church in all places, in regard of
ye vnitye, 4thly it is ye revealed will of God
yt ye gospell should be preached to all
nations, and though we know not whether
ye Indians will receiue it or not, yet it is a
good worke to observe Gods will in offer-
ing it to ym, for God shall haue glory by
it though yy refuse it.

Object. 2. wee haue feared a judge»nt
along tyme,but yet we are safe; therefore
it were better to stay till it come, & either
we may flie then, or if we be ouertaken
in it wee may well bee content to suffer
wth such a church as ours is.

Aunsw. It is likely jr* this confideraCon
made ye churches beyond ye seas as ye Pal-
atinate & Rochel &c to sit still at home,
& not looke out for shelter while yy might
haue found it. but ye wofull spectacle of
their ruine may teach us more wisdome
[ 44 ] to

General Considerations &c.

to avoid ye plague while it is foreseene, &
not to tarry as yy did till it ouertooke ym.
If they were now at their former liberty,
wee may be sure yy would take other
courses for their safety. And though most
of ym had miscarried in their escape, yet
it had not bene halfe so miserable to
thmselves,or scandalous to religion, as this
desperate backsliding and abjuring ye
truth, wch many of ye auntient profes-
sours among ym, & ye whole posterity that
remayne are plunged into.

Object. 3. wee haue here a fruitfuU
Land w* peace & plenty of all things.

Aunsw : wee are like to haue as good
condicons there in tyme; but yet we
must leaue all this abundance, if it bee not
taken fro vs. When we are in or graues,
it will bee all one whether we haue lined
in plenty or in penury, whether we haue
dyed in a bed of downe or lockes of straw.
Onely this is ye advantage of ye meane
condiCOn, yt it is a more freedoe to dye.
And ye lesse cofort any haue in ye things
of this world, ye more liberty yy haue to
lay vp treasure in heauen.

Obj. 4. wee may perish by ye way or
when we coe there, having hunger or ye
sword &c and how vncofortable will it
bee to see or wives & children & friends
come to such miserie by or occasion ?

[ 45 ] Aunsw.

General Considerations &c.

Aunsw. Such objections savour too
much of ye flesh: Who can secure him-
selfe or his fr5 ye like calamities here? If
this course bee warrantable, we may trust
Gods providence for these things. Either
hee will keepe those evills fro vs, or will
dispose ym for or good & enable vs to
beare ym.

Obj, ^. But what warrant haue we to
take yt land, w^h is & hath bene of long
ty me possessed of others ye sons of Adam ?

Aunsw. That wch is coino to all is proper
to none. This Savage people ruleth ouer
many lands w^out title or property : for yy
inclofe no ground, neither haue yy cattell
to maintayne it, but remooue their dwell-
ings as yy haue occafion, or asyy canpre-
vaile agt their neighbours. And why may
not Chriftians haue liberty to go & dwell
amongst yi" in their wast lands &woodds
(leaving ym such places as yy haue man-
ured for their corne) as lawfully, as Abra-
ham did amongst ye Sodomites? For
God hath giuen to ye sons of men a 2
fould right to ye earth: there is anaturall
right & a civill right. The first right was
naturall when men held ye earth incai5io,
every man sowing & seeding where hee
pleased: then, as men and cattell in-
creased, yy appropriated someparcQlls of
ground by enclosing & peculiar manur-
[ 46 ] ance.

General Considerations &c.

ance, & this in tyme got ym a civill
right. Such was ye right wch Ephron ye
Hittite had in ye field of Machpelah,
wherein Abraham could not bury a dead
corps wthout leaue, though for ye outparts
of ye countrey wch lay comon, hee dwelt
vpo yna & tooke ye fruit of y^ at his pleas-
ure. This appeares also in Jacob & his
sons who fedd their flocks as bouldlyinye
Canaanites Land for hee is said to bee Lord
of ye countrey ; & at Dotham and all other
places men accounted nothing their owne^
but yt wch yy had appropriated by their
owne industry, as appeares plainly by
Abimelechs servaunts, who in their owne
countrey did often contend w* Isaacks
servaunts about wells wch yy had digged;
but neuer about ye lands wch yy occupied,
Solikewife betweene Jacob & Laban: hee
would not take a kidd of Labans wthout
speciall contract; but hee makes no bar-
gaine wth him for ye land where yy fedd.
And it is probable yt if ye countrey had not
bene as free for Jacob as for Laban, yt cov-
etous wretch would haue made his advant-
age of him, & haue vpbraided Jacob w^h
it as hee did wth ye rest. 2dly there is more
then enough for ym & vs. 3^17 God hath
confumed ye natives wth a miraculous
plague, whereby ye greater part of ye
countrey is left void of inhabitants. 417, we
[ 47 ] shall

v^

Gemeral CmsUeratimu &c.

slull coe in wd* good Icane of y« natiucs,

Obj. 6. we shall send or yonngoncs &
soch as may best bee spared, & not of y«
best of or ministefs & magistrates.

Aunsw. It is a great worke &reqaires
more skilfiill Artisans to lay y« foondacon
of a new building, then to uphoald &
repayre one y< is already built. If great
things bee attempted by weake instru™,
y« efiects will bee aunswerable.

Obj. 7. Wee see yt those plantacons yt
haue bene formerly made, succeeded ilL

Aunsw. I The fiiiit of any publique
designeis not to bee discerned by ye ime-
diat successe: it may appeare in tyme, y<
yy were all to good vse. 2^, there were
great fimdamentall errours in others wci>
are like to bee avoided in this: for i their
mayne end & purpose was camall & not
religious. 2 jj aymed chiefely at profitt
& not at yc propagacon of religion. 3 jj
vsed too vnfitt instru°tts, a multitude of
rude vngovemed persons, y^ very scums
of "p Land. 4 jj did not stablish a right
fourme of gouemmt.

THE AGREEMENT WITH
MR. HIGGINSON

THE AGREE»«T

W"

M^ HIGGINSON

A true note of y^ allowance y^ y^ new
England Copany haue by como consent
& order of their Court & Counsell
grauntedvnto M^. Francis Higginson
minister^ for his maintenaunce in new
England -/^/rrV 8, 1629.

MPRIMIS yt 3oii in
money shall be forth-
wtJ^ paid him by ye
Copanyes treasurer to-
wards ye chardges of
fitting himselfe wth
Apparell & other nec-
essaryes for his voyage,

2 Item yt loH more shall be payed
ouer by ye said treasurer towards ye pro-
vyding of bookes for present vse.

3 Item yt hee shall haue 30U yearly
paid him for 3 yeares to beginne fro ye
tyme of his first arrivall in new England

[SI ] &

The Agreement with Mr. Htggtnson

& so to be accounted & paid paid him at ye
End of euiy yeare,

4 Item yt during ye said tyme ye
Company shall provide for him & his
family necessaryes of diett housing &
firewood; and shall be at chardges of trans-
porting him into new England: and at
ye end of ye said 3 yeares, if hee shall not
like to continue there any longer, to be at
ye chardge of transporting him backe for
England.

5. Item yt in convenient tyme an
house shall be built^ & certayne lands
allotted thereunto; w^h during his stay in
ye countrey & continuance in ye minis-
trey shall bee for his vse; & after his death
or remoovall ye same to be for Succeeding
ministers.

6. Item at ye expiracSn of ye said 3
yeares an 1 00 acres of land shall be assign-
ed to him & his heires for euer.

7. Item yt in case hee shall depart
this lyfe in yt countrey, ye said Company
shall take care for his widdow during her
widdowhood & aboade in yt country and
plantacon: & ye like for his children
whilst yy remayne vpon ye said plan-
tacon.

8. Item yt ye milke of 2 kyne shall
bee appointed towards ye chardges of
diett for him & his familye as aforesaid,&

[ 52 ] halfe

The Agreement with Mr. Higginson

halfe ye increase of calves during ye said 3
yeares: but ye said 2 kyne, and ye other
halfe of ye increase to returne to ye Com-
pany at ye end of ye said 3 yeares,

9, Item yt he shall haue liberty of car-
rying ouer beddings linnen^ brasse, iron,
pewter, of his owne for his necessary vse
during ye said tyme,

I o Item yt ifhe continue 7 yeares upon
ye said plantacon, yt then 100 acres of
land more shall be allotted him for him
and his for ever.

Messrs. Higginson' s andSkelton's Contract.*

THeSthof Aprill, i629, Mr Francis
Higgeson and Mr Samuel Skelton
intended ministers of this plantacon, and it
being thought meete to consider of their
intertaynement, who expressing their
willingnesse, together, also with Mr Fran-
cis Bright, being now present to doe their
endevour in their places of the ministery
as well in preaching, catechizing, as also
in teaching, or causing to be taught, the
Companyes servants & their children, as
also the salvages and their children, where-
by to their uttermost to further the maine
end of this plantation, being, by the as-
sistance of AUmighty God, the conversion

* Records of the Governor and Company of the
Massachusetts Bay in New England. — Boston^ 1853.

[ 53 ] of

The Agreement with Mr. Higginson

of the salvages, the proposicons concluded
on wth Mr Francis Bright, the 2 of Feb-
ruary last, were reciprocally accepted of
by Mr Francis Higgison and M' Samuel
Skelton, who are in every respect to have
the like condicons as M' Bright hath, one-
ly whereas M' Higgeson hath 8 children
it is intended that i o^ more yearely shall
be allowed him towards their chardge.
And it is agreed that the increase of the
improvement of all their grounds during
the first 3 yeares shall be at the Companies
disposing, who are to fynde them dyett
during that time, and tenne pounds more
to Mr Higgeson towards his present fit-
ting him and his for the voyage,

Francis Higgison.
Samuel Skelton,

A TRUE RELATION OF THE

LAST VOYAGE TO

NEW ENGLAND

A TRVE RELACON

of y® last voyage to new
Eng/andydcc\2inngB\\ cir-
custances w'^ y^maiierof
y® passage wee had by sea,
and what maner of coun-
trey & inhabitants we
found when we came to
land : & what is y® pres-
ent state & condicon of
y^ English people y' are
there already.

Faithfully recorded according to y* very truth
fory' satisfaction of very many of my lov-
ing friends, who haue earnestly requested
to be truly certifyedin these thinges.

Written from new England July 24, 1629.

//. any Curious Criticke yt lookes for exactnes of
phrases or expert seaman yt regard propriety of
sea-termes &c

A TRVE RELACON

of y^ last voyage to new
England made y® last
Sumer, begun y^ 25'^ of
April being Saturday,
Annodoi 1629.

HE copany of New
England consisting of
many worthy gentle-
men in yecitty of Lon-
don, Dorcester & other
places, ayming at yc
glory of God, ye pro-
pagacon of ye gospell of Christ, ye con-
versi5 of ye Indians, & ye er^largemt of ye
Kings maties dominions in America, & be-
ing authorised by hisroyall letters patents
for yt end, at their very great costs &
chardgs furnished 5 Ships to go to new
England, for ye further setling of ye Eng-
lish planta<;&n yt 3^7 had already begun
there.

[ 59 ] The

A True Relation of the

The names of ye 5 Shipps were as fol-
lowcth. The first is called ye Talbot,
a good & strong shipp of 300 tunnes, &
1 9 pieces of ordinance & served w* 30
mariners. This ship carried about an 1 00
planters, 6 goates, 5 great pieces of ordi-
naunce, w* meale, oatemeale pease, & all
maner of munitioandprovisio foryeplan-
tacon for a twelve month. The second ye
George, another strong ship also, about
300 tunnes, 20 pieces of ordinance, served
wth about 3 o mariners ; her chiefe carriage
were cattell, 1 2 mares, 30 kyne, & some
goates: also ther gad in her 5 2 planters &
other provision. The 3d is called ye Lyons
whelpe, a neate & nimble ship of 1 20
tunnes, 8 pieces of ordinaunce, carrying in
her many mariners & about 40 planters,
specially fro dorcester & other places
thereabouts, wth provision, and 4 goates.

The 4th is called ye 4 sisters, as I heare
of about 300 tuns, wch fayre ship carried
many cattell wth passengers & provision.

The 5th is called ye Mayflower, carry-
ing passengers & provision.

Now amongst these 5 ships, ye George
hauing the speciall & urgent cause ofhas-
teningher passage sett sayle before ye rest
about ye midst of April. And ye 4 Sisters
& ye Mayflower being not throughly fur-
nished, intended as we heard to sett forth
[ 60 ] about

[.6]
[^7]

Last Voyage to New England

about 3 weeks after vs : But we yt were in
ye Talbot & ye Lions whelpe being ready
for or voyage by ye good hand of Gods
providence hoysed or sayle froGrauesend
rAoril 2 c1 ^^Saturday ye 25th of April
La 3 J about 7 a clocke in ye morn-

ing. Having but a faynt wynd we could
not go farre yt day, but at nigh t wee ancred
against Lie w^h is 1 2 miles frSgraues end,

& there we rested yt night & kept

Sabbath ye next day.

On monday we sat forward & came

to ye flats, a passage soewhat diffi-
cult by reason of ye narrownes of ye chan-
nell & shallownes of ye water: & going
ouer this wee were in soe daunger : for o'
ship being heavy laden & drawing deepe
water was sensibly felt of vs all to strike 3
or 4 tymes on ye ground: but ye wynd
blowing soewhat strong we were carried
Swiftly on, & at last by Gods blessing came
safe to ancre at Gorin roade.

[r^-i Tewsday we went a little further,
J & ancred ouer agt MargretTowne,
staying for a wind for ye downes.

[ -1 Wednesday we came safely though
y J wth much turning & tacking thor-
ow ye gullies into ye downes, & stayed
yt night.

f'^O. May I. 2.1 Thursday, Fryday &

L^ * ^ J Saturday ye wind blew

[ 61 ] hard

A True Relation of the

hard fro south west & caused c ship to
daunce, & diuers of or passengers & my
wifFe specially were sea sicke. Here yc
Kings ship called ye Assurance pressed
2 of or mariners. Here we saw many
Porpuses playing in ye sea w^h yy say is a
signe of fowle weather.
fMav 'il Sabbath day a windyc day &
L ^ ^ J could : we kept Sabbath stay-
ing still at ye downes.

tn Monday God sent vs a fayrc gale of
^ J wind north : n : East, whereby we
came merily fro ye downes: & passing
Dover we saw 6 or 7 saile of dunkirkes,
wafting after vs : but it seemed yy saw o'
c5pany was too strong for ym, for then
wee had wth vs 3 or 4 ships yt went for ye
Straits: so yy returned backe fro pursu-
ing vs any longer. But sayling w^h a good
wind wee went speedily, & at night came
neere ye He of Wight but being darke
wee durst not put into ye channell, but
put backe for sea roome 4 houres, & then
other 4 houres sayled backe agayne ye
same way.

r -1 Tewsday early in ye morning we en-
L^ J tred ye channell ye wind being weake
& calme, & passed by Portsmouth very
slowly; but in ye afternoone ye wind
quickened, & wee were forced to ancre a
little on this side Cowcastle but ye wind
[ 62 ] growing

Last Voyage to New England

growing more favourable wee weighed
& came to ancre again right against Cow-
castle thinking to stay yt night, y© wind
being very calme. Here I & my wifFe &
fMavl ^ daughter Mary & 2 maids &
L ^ J soe others wth vs obtained of y^
mr of ye shipp to go a shoare to refresh
vs & to wash or linnens, & so we lay at
Cowes yt night. But y* wind turning
when wee were absent, yy hoysed sayle &
left vs there, & ancred 8 miles further
ouer agt Yarmouth about 8 of ye clocke
at night.

M Wednesday betyme in ye morning
ye shalope was sent fro ye shipp to
fetch vs to Yarmouth; but ye water
prooued rough & o' weomen desired to
bee sett on shoare 3 miles short of Yar-
mouth, & so went on foote by land &
lodged in Yarmouth yt night.
r Q 1 On Thursday & fiyday there Mr
L^* *J Beecher allowed by ye copany
gaue mee 40s to make or provisio of what
things we would for the voyage.

M Saturday we went to board agayne:
& this day wee had 2 other men
pressed to serve ye Kings Shippe; but we
got one agayne by intreaty.
r -1 The Sabbath next day we kept ye
L * J shipp where I preached in ye morn-
ing ; & in ye afternoon was intreated to
[ 63 ] preach

n

A True Relation of the

preach at Yarmouth, where Mr Meare &
captayne Borley entertained vs very kynd-
ly, & earnestly desyred to bee certified of
or safe arrivall in new England, & of ye
state of ye countrey

[-1 Monday morning blew a fayrc
J wind fro East S : E : And ye lions
whelpe having taken in all her provisio
for passengers, about 3 of ye clocke in ye
afternoone wee hoysed sayle for ye Nee-
dles, & by Gods guidance safely passed yt
narrow passage a little after 4 a clocke in
ye afternoone. And being entred into ye
sea, fro ye top of ye mast we discerned 4
sayle of shipps lying southward fro vs.
But night coming on wee tooke in or long

[T boate & shalope. And ye next day
J we had a fayre gale of Easterly
wind yt brought vs towards night as farre
as ye Lizzard.

[n Wednesday ye wind still houlding
•^J Easterly, wee came as farre as ye
lands end, in ye vtmost part of Corne-
wall, & so left or deare natiue soile of
England behind vs ; & sayling about 10
leagues frirther we passed ye Isles of Sillie
& launched ye same day a great way into
ye maine ocean. And now my wifFe &
other passengers began to feeleye tossing
wanes of ye westerne sea, & so were very
sea-sicke.

[ 64 ] And

[■5]
[May]

Last Voyage to New England

And this is to be noted, yt all this while
or passage hath bene vpo ye coast of Eng-
land, & so ought truly to be accounted
ye first day of o' parting wth ould Eng-
land.

[1 Thursday ye same Easterly wind
^ J blew all day & night ; & ye next
day ; so yt soe of ye seamen thought
we were coe by this tyme loo
leagues fro England, but toward
night ye wind was calme.
r /- -1 Saturday we were becalmed all day.
L J This day met vs a little shipp of
BristoU yt came fro Christopher Hands.

[-1 Sabath being ye first Lords day we
7 'J held at sea was very calme, es-
pecially in the morning, but we were
disturbed in or morning Service by ye
approach of a Biskaniers shippe, a man
of warre, yt made towards vs, & manned
out his boate to viewe vs : But fynding vs
too strong for him he durst not venture
to assault vs, but made off.

This day my 2 children Samuel & Mary
began to be sicke of ye small-pockes &
purples together, w^h was brought into
ye ship by one Mr Browne wch was sicke
of ye same at Graues End, who it pleased
God to make ye first occasiS of bringing
yt contagious sicknes among vs, wherewth
many were after afflicted.

[ 65 ] Monday

A True Relation of the

[r. -1 Monday calme still, ye wind being
•J no: w: blowing a little towards
euening, but contrary to o' course,
r -1 Tcwsday wind so: w: as little
L 9*J helpfuU as ye former & blowing
uery weake. This day ye mr of o' ship,
my selfe & another went aboard the
Lions whelpe, where Mr Gibs made vs
welcoe w* bountifuU entertaynemt. And
this day towards night my daughter grew
sicker & many blew Spots were seene vpo
her breast, wcH affrighted vs. At ye first
wee thought yy had bene ye plague
tokens; but we found afterwards yt it
was onely an high measure of ye infectiS
of ye pockes, wch were strucke agayne
into ye child, & so it was Gods will ye
child dyed about 5 of ye clocke at night,
being ye first in o' shipp yt was buried in
the bowells of ye great Atlanticke Sea ;
wcH as it was a griefe to vs her parents, &
a sorrow to all ye rest as being ye begin-
ning of a contagious disease & mortality:
so in ye same judgemt it pleased God to
remember mercy in ye child, in fireeing
it fro a world of misery wherein other-
wise shee had lined all her dales. For
being about 4 yeares ould a yeare since,
wee know not by what meanes, sweyed in
ye backe, so yt it was broken & grew
crooked, & ye joynts of her hipps were
[ 66 ] loosed

Last Voyage to New England

loosed & her knees went crooked pittifuU
to see. Since wch tyme shee hath had a
most lamentable payne in her belly, &
would oft times cry out in ye day & in her
sleep also my belly, wch declared soe ex-
traordinary distemper. So yt in respect of
her wee had cause to take her death as a
blessing fro ye Lord to shorten her mis-
eric.

r^^ -1 Wednesday a wett morning,

[May 20J ye windwas W: S: W: & in
ye afternoone N: W: & by W: both
being contrary to or course, wch was to
saile W: & by S: Thus it pleased god
to lay his hand vpo vs by sicknes &
death & contrary winds; & stirred vp
soe of vs to make ye moton of hum-
bling or selves vnder ye hand of God
by keeping a solemne day of fasting &
prayer unto God, to beseech him to re-
mooue ye continuance & further in-
crease of these evills fro vs. w^h was will-
ingly condescended vnto as a duty very
fitting & needfull for o' present state and
condicon.

[-1 Thursday, there being 2 ministers
J in ye ship, M' Smith & my selfe,
wc endevoured together wth others to
consecrate ye day as a solemne fasting &
humiliacon to almighty God,asafurther-
aunce of or present worke. And it pleased
[ by ] God

A Tnie Relation of the

God ye ship was becalmed all day, so yt
we were freed fro any encumbraunce:
And as soone as we had done prayers,
see & behould ye goodnes of god, about
7 a clocke at night ye wind turned to
n : e: & we had a fayre gale yt night as a
manifest evidence of ye Lords hearing
or prayers. I heard soe of ye mariners say,
yy thought this was ye first sea-fast yt euer
was kept, 6cy^yy neuer heard of ye like
perfourmed at sea before.

-1 Fryday ye wind fayre, & east north-
•J erly, & for o' purpose for new
England, it did blow strongly &
carried vs on amayne wth tossing
wanes, wch did affright ym yt were not
wonted to such sights.

[1 Saturday ye same wind blowing
3 'J but more gently. Now we were
coforted wth hope of my sonne Samuels
recovery of ye pockes.
n -1 The 2 Lords day, a fayre day, an
L ^ J orderly wind & prosperous.

On Monday a fayre frummegale,

ye wind South S : W:

Tewsday about lo of ye clocke in

ye morning, whilest we were at
prayers a strong and sudden blast came
fr5 ye north, yt hoysedvp ye wanes &
tossed vs more then euer before & held vs
all yt day till towards night & then abated
[ 68 ] by

[

[May]

[26.]

Last Voyage to New England

by litde & little till it was calme. This
day Mr GofFes great dogg fell ouer board
& could not be recouered.
r^^ 1 Wednesday, ye wind still no: &
L ^ J calme in ye morning, but about
noone there arose a So: wind, wch en-
creased more & more, so yt it seemed to vs
yt are land men a sore & terrible storme;
for ye wind blew mightily, ye rayne fell
vehemently, ye sea roared & ye waues
tossed vs horribly; besides it was fearfuU
darke & ye mariners maid was afraid;
& noyse on the other side wth their run-
ning here & there, lowd crying one to
another to pull at this & yt rope. The
nV/f 1 ''^^^^ powred y^selues ouer

L y 7 J ye shippe yt ye 2 boates were
filled wtH water, yt yy were fayne to
strike holes in ye midst of ym to let ye
water out. Yea by ye violence of ye waues
ye long boate coard wch held it was bro-
ken, & it had like to haue bene washed
ouerboard, had not ye mariners wth much
payne & daunger recouered ye same. But
this lasted not many houres; after which
it became a calmish day. All wch while
I lay close & warme in my cabine, but
farre fro hauing list to sleepe wth Jonah ;
my thoughts were otherwise employed
as ye tyme & place required. Then I saw
ye truth of ye Scripture Psal. 107, fr5 ye
[ 69 ] 23

A TCrue Relation of the

23 to yc 32. And my feare at this tymc
was ye lesse, when I rememberd what a
loving friend of myne, a minister accus-
tomed to sea stormes said to mee yt I
might not be dismayed at such stormes,
for yy were ordinary at seas, & it seeldome
£ills out yt a shipp perisheth at storms if
it haue sea-roome, wcH I ye rather wryte
yt others as well as my selfe by ye know-
ledge hereof may be encouraged & pre-
pared agt these ordinary sea-stormes.
[j> -1 Thursday So: wind: calme at
9 J night: On fryday a boistrous
wind blowing crosse, but was allayed to-
wards night wth a showre of rayne. Sat-
r n urday So: w: wind, but faire &
[30]quiett.

TMav ^il Sabbath day being ye 3
L -^ J J Lords day, fayre & calme;
wee saw abundance of grampas fishes, 2
or 3 yards long, & a body as bigg as an
oxe.

py -1 Monday ye wind westerly &

U^ J calme: but besides or being
stayed by contrary winds we began to
fynd ye temperature of ye ayre to alter
& to become more soletry & subject to
vnwholsome foggs. For coming now to
ye height of ye westerne Islands, soe of
or men fell sicke of ye scuruie & others
of the small pockes, wch more & more
[ 70 ] increased:

Last Voyage to New England

increased : yet thankes be to God none
dyed of it but my owne child mencond.
And therefore, according to o' great need
we appointed another fast for the next
day.

[1 Tewsday wesolemnely celebrate an-
^•J other fast. The Lord yt day heard
vs before wee prayed & gaue vs aunswere
before we called; for early in ye morning
ye wind turned full East, being as fitt a
wind as could blowe. And sitting at my
study on ye shipps poope I saw many
bonny fishes & porpuses pursuing one an-
other, and leaping soe of ym a yard aboue
ye water. Also as we were at prayer, vnder
ye hatch, soe yt were aboue saw a whale
puffing vp water not farre fr5 ye shippe.
Nowmywiflfe was prettily well recouered
of her sea sicknesse.

p -1 Wednesday a fayre day & fyne gale
L3*J of full East wind. This day my selfe
& others saw a large round fish sayling

D-i by ye ships side about a yard in
J length & roundnes euery way.
The mariners cald it a sunne fish; it
spreadeth out ye finnes like beames on
euery side 4, or 5.

[

-1 Thursday & fryday ye wind full
^^ 5*J E: we were carried wth admira-
con on or journey. By this wee were more
then halfe way to new England. This day

[71 ] I

A True Relation of the

I saw a fish very straunge to mee, yy call
it a caruell ; w^h came by ye ship side waft-
ing along yc top of ye water, it appeared
at ye first like a bubble aboue the water
as bigg as a mans fist, but ye fish it selfe
is about ye bignes of a mans thum, so yt
ye fish it selfe & ye bubble resembleth a
shipp wth sailes, wch therefore is called a
caruell.

r/- -j Saturday wind direct E: still. The
L ^ J 4 Sabb: we kept at sea the wind
ftill full Easterly till noone, & then
rr^-j it came ftiU So:E: a strong gale yt
L J night & ye next day till night.

WTewsday ye same wind held till 9
a clock in ye morning: & then a
great showre wch lasted till about 7 at
night, & then it was a very calme. There
we sounded w^h a dipled lyne aboue
1 00th fadome & found no bottome. This
day we saw a fish called a turkle, a great
& large shell fish swiming aboue ye water
neere ye shippe.

[-1 Wednesday wind northerly a fyne
J gale but calmish in ye afternoone.
[y -1 Thursday ye wind at no: an
1 1 junej g^gyg g^ig gj. f^yre morning

we saw a mountayne of Ice shyning as
white as snow like to a great rocke or
clift on ye shoare. it stood still & there-
fore we thought it to be on ground & to
[ 72 ] reach

Last Voyage to New England

reach ye bottome of ye sea. For though
there came a mighty streame fro ye no:
yet it mooued not, wch made vs sound,
&we found a banke of 40 fathom deepe
whereupo we judged it to rest: & ye
height aboue was as much. Wee also
saw 6 or 7 pieces of Ice, floating on ye
sea, wch was broken oflf fro ye former
mountayne, we also saw great store of
water fowle swiming by ye shipp wt^in
musket shott, of a pyde colour & about
ye bignes of a wild ducke, about 40 in a
copany, the mariners call ym hag birds.
Toward night came a fogge, yt ye lions
whelp was lost till morning. And now
we saw many bony toes porpuses and
grampases every day more & more,
p -1 Fryday foggie & calmish, ye wind
L J northerly in ye morning, but about
noone it came S: £: a dainty loome gale
wch carried vs 6 leagues a watch,
r -1 Saturday ye same wind till night,
L 3 J & we saw great store of porpuses &
grampases.

[-1 The 5th Sabbath, ye same wind,
^J towards noone it began to be fog-
gie, & then it rained till night we went
4 or 5 leagues a watch,
ry -1 Monday a fayre day but

U 5 J foggie, ye same wind blow-

ing but wth fresh gale carry ed vs 7 leagues
I 73 ] a

[,6]

A True Relation of the

a watch. In "p afternoone it blew harder,
so ye sea was rough, & wfe lost "p sight of
y« lions whelpe: it being foggie we
drumed for ym& yy shot off a great piece
of ordinance but we feared not one an-
other.

Tewsday wind So: & by E: fog-
gie till about I o a clocke while we
were at prayers it cleared vp about an
houre, 6c then we saw ye lions whelpe dis-
tant about 2 leagues southward, wee pre-
sently tackt about to meet her& sheedid
p same to meete vs, but before we could
get together a thick fogge came, yt we
were long in fynding each other. This
day we sounded divers tymes, & found or-
selves on another banke, at first 40 fathom,
after 36. after 33. after 24. wee thought
it to haue bene ye banke ouer agt chap
Sable, but we were deceiued, for we knew
not certainly where we were because of ye
fogge. After 3 or 4houres copany we lost
ye lions whelpe agayne: &beate o'drume
& shot off a great piece of ordinaunce &
yet heard not of ym. But perceiuing ye
banke to grow still yt shallower we found ,
it 27 & 24 fathoms. Therefore being a
fogg & fearing wee were too neere land
we tackt about for sea roome for 2 or 3
watches, & steered Southeast.

[ 74 ] Wednesday

[

Last Voyage to New England

-| Wednesday very foggie still & wind
^ J S: and by w: & sounding found
no bottome yt we could reach.

[j>-i Thursday wind full w: & contra-
J ry tovs. This day a notorious wick-
ed fellow yt was giuen to swearing &
boasting of his former wickednes bragged
yt hee had got a wench wth child before
hee came this voyage & mocked at o^ daies
of fa$t railing & jesting agt puritans, this
fellow fellsickeof yc pockes& dyed. Wee
sounded and found 38 fathom, & stayed
for a little to take s5e codfish & feasted
o'selves merily.

t-i Fryday wind west still, a very feyre
"J cleareday. About 4 a clock in ye af-
ternoone soe went vp to ye top of ye mast,
& affirmed to o' great cofort yy saw land
to ye north eastward,
r -1 Saturday wind So : w : a fayre gale :
L J we sounded & found 40, 30, 22, &
a little after no ground.

[-1 Sabb: being ye 6th Lords day;
J wind westerly but fayre & calme.
r -1 Monday wind Easterly a fayre gale.
L J This day wee saw a great deale of
firoth not farre fro vs : wee feared it might
bee soe breach of water agt some new
qvotc.* Therefore ye mr of or shipp hoised
out yeshalop & went wthsoe of ye men to see
what it was; but found it onely to bee a
[ 7S ] froath

A True Relation of the

froath carried by ye streame.
Ft -] Tcwsdayyewindn:E:afayre

U 3 J gale. This day we examined

5 beastly Sodomiticall boyes, wch con-
fessed their wickednes not to bee named.
The fact was so fowle wee referred ym to
bee punished by ye governor when we
came to new England, who afterward sent
ym backe to ye c5pany to bee punished in
ould England as ye crime deserued.

[-1 Wednesday wind no: E: a fayre
^J day & cleare: about 9 a clocke in
ye morning we espied a shipp about 4
leagues behind vs; wch prooued ye lions
whelpe, wch had bene a weeke separated
fro vs. we stayed for [blot (her)] copany.
This day a child of goodman Blacke wch
had a c5sumpcon before it came to shipp,
dyed. This day we had all a cleare & c6-
fortable sight of America, & of ye Chap
Sable jrt was ouer agt vs 7 or 8 leagues
northward. Here we saw yellow gilliflow-
ers on ye sea.

[-1 Thursday wind still no: Ea: a full
•5 J & fresh gale. In ye after noone wee
had a cleare sight of many Islands &
hills by ye sea shoare. Now we saw abund-
aunce of makrill, a great store of great
whales puffing vp water as yy goe, soe of
ym came neereo'shipp: their greatnes did
astonish vs yt sawyn» not before: their
[ 76 ] backs

Last Voyage to New England

backs appeared like a little Island. At 5
a clock at 3 night the wind turned S. E. a
fayre gale. This day we caught mackrill.

[ ^-1 Fryday a foggie morning, but after
J cleare and wind calme. We saw
many scools of mackrill, infinite multi-
tudes on every side our ship. The sea was
abundantly stored with rockweed and yel-
low flowers like gilly-flowers. By noon
we were within 3 leagues of Capan, and
as we sayled along the coasts we saw every
hill and dale and every island full of gay
woods and high trees. The nearer we came
to the shoare the more flowers in abund-
ance, sometymes scattered abroad, some-
tymes joyned in sheets 9 or i o yards long,
which we supposed to be brought from
the low meadowes by the tyde. Now what
with fine woods and greene trees by land,
and these yellow flowers payn ting the sea,
made us all desirous to see our new para-
dise of New England, whence we saw such
forerunning signals of fertilitie afarre oflF.
Coming neare the harbour towards night
we takt about for sea-roome.

[-1 Saturday a foggie morning; but af-
^ J ter 8 o'clocke in the morning very
cleare, the wind being somewhat contrary
at So. and by West, wetacktto and againe
with getting little; but with much adoe,
about 4 o'clock in theafternoone, having
[ 77 ] with

A True Relation of the

with much payne compassed the harbour,
and being ready to enter the same, see
how things may suddenly change! there
came a fearfull gust of windandrayne and
thunder and lightning, whereby we were
borne with no little terrour and trouble
to our mariners, having very much adoe
to loose downe the sayles when the fury
of the storme held up. But God be praised
it lasted but a while and soone abated
agayne. And hereby the Lord shewed us
what he could have done with us, if it had
pleased him. But blessed be God, he soone
removed this storme and it was a fayreand
sweet evening.

We had a westerly wind which brought
us between 5 and 6 o'clock to a fyne and
sweet harbour,* 7 miles from the head
point of Capan. This harbour 20 ships
may easily ryde therein, where there was
an island whither four of our men with
a boate went, and brought backe agayne
ripe strawberries and gooseberries, and
sweet single roses. Thus God was merci-
ful to us in giving us a tast and smell of
the sweet fruit as an earnest of his bounti-
ful goodnes to welcome us at our first
arrivall. This harbour was two leagues
and something more from the harbour at
Naimkecke, where our ships were to rest,
and the plantation is already begun. But
[ 78 ] because

Last Voyage to New England

because the passage is difficult and night
drew on, we put into Capan harbour.

[o-| The Sabbath, being the first we
J kept in America, and the 7th Lord*s
day after we parted with England,
r -1 Monday we came from Capan, to go
L ^ J to Naimkecke, the wind northerly,
I should have tould you before that the
planters spying our English colours the
Governour sent a shalop with 2 men on
Saturday to pilot us. These rested the
Sabbath with us at Capan ; and this day,
by God*s blessing and their directions, we
passed the curious and difficult entrance
into the large spacious harbour of Naim-
kecke. And as we passed along it was
wonderful to behould so many islands
replenished with thicke wood and high
trees, and many fayre grcene pastures.
And being come into the harbour we saw
the George to our great comfort then
being come on Tuesday which was 7
dales before us. We rested that night
with glad and thankful hearts that God
had put an end to our long and tedious
journey through the greatest sea in the
world.

r 1 The next morning the governour
L*^ J came aboard to our ship, and bade
us kindly welcome, and invited me and
my wifFe to come on shoare, and take our
[ 79 ] lodging

A True Relation of the

lodging in his house, which we did ac-
cordingly.

Thus you have a faithful report col-
lected from day to day of all the partic-
ulars that were worth noting in our
passage.

Now in our passage divers things are
remarkeable.

First, through God's blessing our pas-
sage was short and speedy, for whereas
we had looo leagues, that is 3000 miles
English, to saile from Ould to New Eng-
land, we performed the same in 6 weeks
and 3 dayes.

Secondly, our passage was comfort-
able and easie for the most part, having
ordinarily fayre and moderate wind, and
being freed for the most part from
stormie and rough seas, saving one night
only, which we that were not used
thought to be more terrible than indeed
it was, and this was Wednesday at night
May 27th.

Thirdly, our passage was also health-
full to our passengers, being freed from
the great contagion of the scurvie and
other maledictions, which in other pass-
ages to other places had taken away the
[ 80 ] lives

Last Voyage to New England

lives of many. And yet we were in all
reason in wonderful danger all the way,
our ship being greatly crowded with pas-
sengers ; but through God's great good-
ness we had none that died of the pockes
but that wicked fellow that scorned at
fasting and prayer. There were indeed
2 little children, one of my owne and
another beside ; but I do not impute it
meerely to the passage; for they were
both very sickly children, and not likely
to have lived long, if they had not gone
to sea. And take this for a rule, if child-
ren be healthfull when they come to sea,
the younger they are the better they will
endure the sea, and are not troubled with
sea-sicknes as older people are, as we
had experience in many children that
went this voyage. My wifFe indeed, in
tossing weather, was something ill by
vomiting, but in calme weather she re-
covered agayne, and is now much better
for the sea sicknes. And for my owne
part, whereas I have for divers yeares past
been very sickly and ready to cast up what-
soever I have eaten, and was very sicke
at London and Gravesend, yet from the
tyme I came on shipboard to this day,
I have been straungely healthfull. And
now I can digest our ship diett very well,
which I could not when I was at land.
[ 8i ] And

A True Relation of the

And indeed in this regard I have great
cause to give God praise, that he hath
made my coming to be a method to cure
me of a wonderful weake stomacke and
continual payne of melancholly wynd
from the splene: Also divers children
were sicke of the small pockes, but are
safely recovered agayne, and 2 or 3 pas-
sengers towards the latter end of the voy-
age fell sicke of the scurvie^ but coming
to land recovered in a short tyme.

Fourthly, our passage was both pleas-
urable and profitable. For we received
instruction and delight in behoulding the
wonders of the Lord in the deepe waters,
and sometimes seeing the sea round us
appearing with a terrible countenance,
and as it were full of high hills and deepe
vallyes; and sometimes it appeared as a
most plain and even meadow. And ever
and anon we saw divers kynds of fishes
sporting in the great waters, great gram-
puses and huge whales going by compan-
ies and puffing up water-streames. Those
that love their owne chimney corner, and
dare not go farre beyond their owne townes
end shall neever have the honour to see
these wonderfull workes of Almighty
God.

Fifthly, we had a pious and christian-
like passage; fori suppose passengers shall
[ 82 ] seldom

Last Voyage to New England

seldom find a company of more religious,
honest and kynd seamen than we had.
We constantly served God morning and
evening by reading and expounding a
chapter, singing, and prayer. And the
Sabbath was solemnely kept by adding to
the former, preaching twise and catechis-
ing. And in our great need we kept 2 sol-
emne fasts, and found a gracious effect.
Let all that love and use fasting and pray-
ing take notise that it is as prevaileable
by sea as by land, wheresoever it is faith-
fully performed. Besides the ship master
and his company used every night to sett
their 8 and 12 a clocke watches with
singing a psalme and prayer that was not
read out of a booke. This I wryte not for
boasting and flattery; but for the benefit
of those that have a mynd to come to
New England hereafter, that if they looke
for and desyre to have as prosperous a
voyage as we had, they may use the same
meanes to attayne the same. So letting
passe our passage by sea, we will now bring
our discourse to land on the shoare of New
England, and I shall by God's assistance
endeavour to speake nothing but the
naked truth, and both acquaint you with
the commodities and discommodities of
the country.

r\

NEW-ENGLANDS PLANTATION

&c.

NEW-ENGLANDS
PLANTATION

OR,

A SHORT AND TRVE

DESCRIPTION OF THE

COMMODITIES AND

DISCOMMODITIES

of that Countrcy.

Written by M' Higgison, a reuercnd
Diuine now there resident.

Whereunto is added a Letter, sent by
M' Graues an Enginere, out of New England.

'The third Edition, enlarged.

LONDON.

Printed by T. and R. Cotes (or Michael Sparke,

dwelling at the Signe of the Blue Bible in

Greene-Arbor, 1630.

To the Reader.

R^ader^ doe not disdaine to reade this
Relation : and looke not here to baue
a large Gate and no building within: a
full-stuffed Tittle with no matter in the
Booke : But here reade the truths and that
thou shalt find without any frothy bumbasting
words ^ or any quaint new-deuised additions^
onely as it was written [not intended for the
Presse) by a reuerend Diuine now there liu-
ing, who onely sent it to some Friends here,
which were desirous of his Relations; which
is an Epitomy of their proceedings in the
Plantation. And for thy part if thou mean-
est to be no Planter nor Venturer doe but
lend thy good Prayers for the furtherance of
it. And so I rest a WelUWisher to all the
good designes both of them which are gone,
and of them that are to goe.

M. S,

NEW-ENGLANDS

PLANTATION.

[Etting passe our Voyage
by Sea, we will now be-
gin our discourse on the
shore oi New-England.
And because the life
and wel-fare of euery
Creature heere below,
and the commodiousnesse of the Coun-
trey whereas such Creatures Hue, doth by
the most wise ordering of Gods prouid-
ence, depend next vnto himselfe, vpon
the temperature and disposition of the
foure Elements, Earth, Water, Aire, and
Fire (For as of the mixture of all these,
all sublunary things are composed; so by
the more or lesse injoyment of the whole-
some temper and conuenient vse of these,
consisteth the onely well-being both of
Man and Beast in a more or lesse com-
fortable measure in all Countreys vnder
the Heauens) Therefore I will indeauour
to shew you what New-England is by the
consideration of each of these apart, and
[ 89 ] truly

m4v kidmmfor bjr Gods hdpe fi>
mimittg htn the naked trotli, an
^^ (<y (ell yott of the discoou
m ^«fl m of the commodities,
fliMF i4Ui Ptmiethe i», TratulUrs i
gitii^U'iet swd »o msy uke too modb
i<M f}Kef tie that wsy. Yet I may
m^ «6lf« •« once Nebemiah did in i
«»#: Shall tU(H a Man as I fyef No \
?^: U {Mfe<mttneth not a Preaclicr
TtaiM k* b« a Writer of Falshod in 4
^%f6€i itnA therefore I haue beenei
tm {^ftp^H nothing of MTW EaglandlMtt

wh«( 1 haue p^ftly •««»« ^»^ °*"*® *
t'/ycHit MHd partly heard and inquired i
♦f*e Htouths of verle honest and rcli|
^(>i-NfH»i who by liuing in the Countrcj a
jf^mA »pat:e of time haue had ezperieooe
((fid kHmvledge of the state thereof &
¥i\nm t««iti monies t doe bdeeae as vay
•flfte;

l^lhjit therefore of the Earth 6£New-
PiH^litHtl AHd All the appertenances there-
Hf : 1 1 1» A t i«ntl of diuers and sundry scnts
nil AhtUtt MnatthttlHs Bav, and at Cbmrks
ft hlt^r 1*1 «» (kt btacke Gart^ as can be seeae
MHV where*, and in other places you haue
« t-lrty wyle, in other grauelU in other
MHttV) ft» it i« all about our Plantation at
Hnfm^ Rir «o our Towne is now named,

t ^d 1 The

NeW'Englands Plantation

The forme of the Earth here in the
superficies of it is neither too flat in
the plainnesse, nor too high in Hils,
but partakes of both in a mediocritie, and
fit for Pasture, or for Plow or meddow
ground, as Men please to employ it:
though all the Countrey bee as it were a
thicke Wood for thegenerall,yet in diuers
places there is much ground cleared by
the Indians y and especially about the Plan-
tation: and I am told that about three
miles from vs a Man may stand on a little
hilly place and see diuers thousands of
acres of ground as good as need to be, and
not a Tree in the same. It is thought here
is good Clay to make Bricke and Tyles
and Earthen-Pot as need to be. At this
instant we are setting a Bricke-Kill on
worke to make Brickes and Tyles for the
building of our Houses. For Stone, here
is plentie of Slates at the He of Slate in
Masatbulets Bay, and Lime-stone, Free-
stone, and Smooth-stone, and Iron-stone,
and Marble-stone also in such store, that
we haue great Rocks of it, and a Harbour
hard by. Our Plantation is from thence
called Marble-harbour.

Of Minerals there hath yet beene but
little triall made, yet we are not without
great hope of being furnished in that
Soyle.

;[ 91 ] The

NeW'Englands Plantation

The fertilitie of the Soyle is to be ad-
mired at, as appeareth in the aboundance
of Grasse that groweth euerie where both
verie thicke, verie long, and verie high
in diuers places: but it groweth verie
wildly with a great stalke and a broad and
ranker blade, because it neuer had been
eaten with Cattle, nor mowed with a
Sythe, and seldome trampled on by foot.
It is scarce to be beleeued how our Kine
and Goats, Horses and Hogges doe thriue
and prosper here and like well of this
Countrey.

In our Plantation we haue already a
quartof Milke for a penny: but the abound-
ant encrease of Corne proues this Coun-
trey to bee a wonderment. Thirtie, fortie,
fiftie, sixtie are ordinarie here: yea^^-
sepb's encrease in Mgyt is out-stript here
with vs. Our planters hope to haue more
then a hundred fould this yere: and all
this while I am within compasse; what
will you say of two hundred fould and vp-
wards? It is almost incredible what great
gaine some of our English Planters haue
had by our Indian Corne. Credible per-
sons haue assured me, and the partie him-
selfe auouched the truth of it to me, that
of the setting of 1 3 gallons of Corne hee
hath had encrease of it 52 Hogsheads,
euery Hogshead holding seuen Bushels
[ 92 ] of

NeW'Englands Plantation

oi London measure, and euery Bush ell was
by him sold and trusted to tht Indians for
so much Beauer as was worth 1 8 shillings;
and so of this 1 3 Gallons of Corne which
was worth 6 shillings 8 pence, he made
about 327 pounds of it in the yeere fol-
lowing, as by reckoning will appeare:
where you may see how God blessed hus-
bandry in this Land. There is not such
greate and plentifull eares of Corne I sup-
pose any where else to bee found but in this
Country: because also of varietie of col-
ours, as red, blew, and yellow, &c. and of
one Corne there springeth foure or fiue
hundred. I haue sent you many Eares of
diuers colours that you might see the truth
of it.

Little Children here by setting of
Corne may earne much more then their
owne maintenance.

They haue tryed our English Corne at
new Plimmoutb Plantation, so that all our
seuerall Graines will grow here verie well,
and haue a fitting Soyle for their nature.

Our Gouernor hath store of greene
pease growing in his garden as good as
euer I eat in England.

This Countrey aboundeth naturally

with store of rootes of great varietie and

good to eat. Our Turnips, Parsnips and

Carrots are here both bigger and sweeter

[ 93 ] then

New^Englands Plantation

then is ordinarily to bee found in England.
Here are store of Pumpions, Cowcombers,
and other things of that nature which I
know not. Also diucrs excellent Pot-
herbs grow abundantly among the Grasse,
as Strawberrie leaues in all places of the
Countrey, and plentie of strawberries in
their time, and Penyroyall,Wintersaucrie,
Sorrell, Brookelime, Liuerwort, Caruell
and Watercresses, also Lcekesand Onions
are ordinarie, and diuers Physicall Herbs.
Here are also aboundance of other sweet
Hearbs delightfull to the smell, whose
names we know not, &c. and plentie of
single Damaske Roses veriesweete; and
two kinds of Herbes that beare two kinds
of Flowers very sweet, which they say,
are as good to make Cordage or Cloath as
any Hempe or Flaxe we haue.

Excellent Vines are here vp and downe
in the Woodcs. Our Gouernour hath al-
ready planted a Vineyard with great hope
of encrease.

Also, Mulberries, Plums, Raspberries,
Corrance, Chcsnuts, Filberds, Walnuts,
Smalnuts, Hurtleberies, & Hawes of
Whitethornc neere as good as our Cher-
ries in England^ they grow in plentie
here.

For Wood there is no better in the

World I thinke, here being foure sorts

[ 94 ] of

New^Englands Plantation

of Oke differing both in the Leafe, Tim-
ber, and Colour, all excellent good. There
is also good Ash, Elme, Willow, Birch,
Beech, Saxafras, Juniper, Cipres, Cedar,
Spruce, Pines, & Firre that will yeeld
abundance of Turpentine, Pitch, Tarrc,
Masts and other materials for building
both of Ships and Houses. Also here are
store of Sumacke Trees, they are good
for dying and tanning of Leather, like-
wise such trees yeeld a precious Gem
called Wine Bcnjamen, that they say is
excellent for perfumes. Also here be
diuers Roots and Berries wherewith the
Indians dye excellent holding colours that
no raine nor washing can alter. Also, wee
haue materials to make Sope-Ashes and
Salt-Peter in aboundance.

For Beasts there are some Beares, and
they say some Lyons also ; for they haue
been seen at Cape Anne. Also here are
seuerall sorts of Deere, some whereof
bring three or foure young ones at once,
which is not ordinarie in England. Also
Wolues, Foxes, Beauers, Otters, Martins,
great wild Cats, & a great Beast called a
Molke as bigge as an Oxe. I haue seen
the Skins of all these Beasts since I came
to this Plantation excepting Lyons. Also
here are great store of squerrels, some
greater, and some smaller and lesser:
[ 95 ] there

NeW'Englands Plantation

there are some of the lesser sort, they
tell me, that by a certaine Skill will fly
from Tree to Tree though they stand farrc
distant.

Of the Waters ^New-England, with the
things belonging to the same.

NeW'England hath Water enough both
salt and fresh, the greatest Sea in the
World, the Atlanticke Sea runs all along
the Coast thereof. There are abundance
of Hands along the Shore, some full of
Wood and Mast to feed Swine; and
others cleere of Wood, and fruitfull to
beare Corne. Also wee haue store of ex-
cellent harbours for Ships, as at Cape
Anne^ and at Masathulets Bay, and at
Salem f and at many other places: and
they are the better because for Strangers
there is a verie difficult and dangerous
passage into them, but vnto such as are
well acquainted with them, they are easie
and safe enough. The aboundance of Sea-
Fish are almost beyond beleeuing, and
sure I should scarce haue beleeued it,
except I had seene it with mine owne
Eyes. I saw great store of Whales, and
Crampusse, and such aboundance of
Mackerils that it would astonish one to
behold, likewise Cod-Fish in aboundance
[ 96 ] on

NeW'Englands Plantation

on the Coast, and in their season are plen-
tifully taken. There is a Fish called a
Basse, a most sweet & wholesome Fish as
euer I did eate, it is altogether as good as
our fresh Sammon, and the season of
their comming was begun when wee
came first to New^England in June^ and
so continued about three months space.
Of this Fish our Fishers take many hun-
dreds together, which I haue seene lying
on the shore to my admiration; yea their
Nets ordinarily take more then they are
able to hale to Land, and for want of
Boats and Men they are constrained to
let a many goe after they haue taken
them, and yet sometimes they fill two
Boates at a time with them. And besides
Basse wee take plentie of Scate and
Thornbacks, and abundance of Lobsters,
and the least Boy in the Plantation may
both catch and eat what he will of them.
For my owne part I was soone cloyed with
them, they were so great, and fat, and lus-
sious. I haue seene some my selfe that
haue weighed 1 6 pound, but others haue
had diuers times so great Lobsters as haue
weighed 25 pound, as they assure mee.
Also hecre is abundance of Herring, Tur-
but,Sturgion, Cuskes, Hadocks, Mullets,
Eeles, Crabbes, Muskles and Oysters.
Besides there is probability that the
[ 97 ] Countrey

NeW'-Englands Plantation

Countreyisof an excellent temper for the
.making of Salt: for since our comming
our Fishermen haue brought home very
good Salt which they found candied by
the standing of the Sea water and the
heat of the Sunne, vpon a Rocke by the
Sea shore: and in diuers salt Marishes
that some haue gone through, they haue
found some Salt in some places crushing
vnder their Feete and cleaning to their
Shooes.

And as for fresh Water the Countrey
is full of dainty Springs, and some great
Riuers, and some lesser Brookes ; and at
Masatbulets Bay they digged Wels and
found Water at three Foot deepe in most
places : and neere Salem they haue as fine
cleare Water as we can desire, and we
may digge Wels and find Water where
we list.

Thus wee see both Land and Sea
abound with store of blessings for the
comfortable sustenance of Man's life in
NeW'England.

Of the Aire ^New-England with the
temper and Creatures in it.

The Temper of the Aire oi New-Eng-
land is one speciall thing that commends
this place. Experience doth manifest
[ 98 ] that

New-Englands Plantation

that there is hardly a more healthful!
place to be found in the World that
agreeth better with our English bodye$.
Many that haue beene weake and sickly
in old England^ by comming hither haue
beene thoroughly healed and growne
healthful! strong. For here is an extra-
ordinarie cleere and dry Aire that is of
a most healing nature to all such as are
of a Cold, Melancholy, Flegmatick,
Rheumatick temper of Body. None can
more truly speake hereof by their owne
experience then my selfe. My Friends
that knew me can well tell how verie
sickly I haue bin and continually in
Physick, being much troubled with a
tormenting paine through an extraordi-
narie weaknesse of my Stomacke, and
aboundance of Melancholicke humors;
but since I came hither on this Voyage,
I thanke God, I haue had perfect health,
and freed from paine and vomiting, hau-
ing a Stomacke to digest the hardest and
coursest fare, who before could not eat
finest meat; and whereas my Stomacke
could onely digest and did require such
drinke as was both strong and stale, now
I can and doe often times drink iVifw-
England water verie well ; and I th at
haue not gone without a Cap
yeeres together, neither durst

[ 99 ]

New-Englands Plantation

the same, haue now cast away my Cap,
and doe weare none at all in the day
time: and whereas beforetime I cloathed
my selfe with double cloathes and thicke
Wastcoates to kcepe me warme, cuen in
the Summer time, I doe now goe as thin
clad as any, onely wearing a light Stuffe
Cassocke vpon my Shirt, and StuflFe
Breeches of one thicknesse without Lin-
ings. Besides I haue one of my Children
that was formerly most lamentably han-
dled with sore breaking out of both his
hands and feet of the King's-euill, but
since he came hither hee is very well ouer
he was, and there is hope of perfect rc-
couerie shortly cuen by the very whole-
somnesse of the Aire, altering, digesting
and drying vp the cold and crude hum-
ours of the Body : and therefore I thinke
it is a wise course for al cold complec-
tions to come to take Physick in New
England: for a sup ofNew-^England' sAirt
is better then a whole draught of old
England's Ale. In the Summer time in
the midst oijuly and August , it is a good
deale hotter then in old England: and in
Winter January and February are much
colder as they say : but the Spring and
Autumnc are of a middle temper.

Fowles of the Aire are plentifull here,

and of all sorts as we haue in England as

[ IOC ] farrc

NeW'Englands Plantation

farre as I can learne, and a great many of
strange Fowles which wee know not.
Whilst I was writing these things, one of
our Men brought home an Eagle which
hee had killed in the Wood: they say
they are good meate. Also here are many
kinds of excellent Hawkes, both Sea
Hawkes & Land Hawkes: and myselfe
walking in the Woods with another in
company, sprung a Partridge so bigge
that through the heauinesse of his Body
could fly but a little way: they that haue
killed them, say they are as bigge as our
Hens. Here are likewise aboundance of
Turkies often killed in the Woods, farre
greater then our English Turkies, and ex-
ceeding fat, sweet and fleshy, for here they
haue aboundance of feeding all the yeere
long, as Strawberries, in Summer all places
are full of them, and all manner of Berries
and Fruits. In the Winter time I haue
scene Flockes of Pidgeons, and haue eaten
of them: they doe fly from Tree to Tree
as other Birds doe, which our Pidgeons
will not doe in England: they are of all
colours as ours are, but their wings and
tayles are far longer, and therefore it is
likely they fly swifter to escape the terri-
ble Hawkes in this Country. In Winter
time this Country doth abound with wild
Geese, wild Duckes, and other Sea Fo wle,
[ loi ] that

New-Englands Plantation

that a great part of winter the Planters
haue eaten nothing but roast meate of
diuers Fowles which they haue killed.

Thus you haue heard of the Earth,
Water and Aire of New-England^ now it
may bee you expect something to bee said
of the Fire proportionable to the rest of
the Elements. Indeede I thinke New-
England^ may boast of this Element more
then of all the rest: for though it bee here
somewhat cold in the winter, yet here we
haue plenty of Fire to warme vs, and that
a great deale cheaper then they sel Billets
and Faggots in London: nay, all Europe is
not able to aflFord to make so great Fires
as NeW'-England. A poore scruant here
that is to possesse but 50 Acres of Land,
may afford to giue more wood for Timber
& Fire as good as the world yeelds, then
many Noble men in England can afford
to do. Here is good lining for those that
loue good Fires. And although New-
England hzuc no Tallow to make Candles
of, yet by the aboundance of the Fish
thereof, it can aflFord Oyle for Lampes.
Yea our Pine-Trees that are the most
plentifuU of all wood, doth allow vs plenty
of Candles which are very vsefull in a
House: and they are such Candles as the
Indians commonly vse, hauing no other,
and they are nothing else but the wood of
[ 102 ] the

New-Englands Plantation

the Pine Tree clouen in two little slices
something thin, which are so full of the
moysture of Turpentine and Pitch, that
they burne as cleere as a Torch. I haue
sent you some of them that you may see
the experience of them.

Thus of New-England's commodities,
now I will tell you of some discommodi-
ties that are here to be found.

First, in the Summer season for these
three months, June^ JufyyZnd August, we
are troubled much with little Flyes called
Musketoes, being the same they are
troubled with in Lincolneshiere and the
Fens: and they are nothing but Gnats,
which except they bee smoked out of
their houses are troublesome in the night
season.

Secondly, in the Winter season for two
months space, the earth is commonly cou-
ered with Snow, which is accompanied
with sharp biting Frosts, something more
sharpe then is in old England, and there-
fore are forced to make great Fires.

Thirdly, the countrey being very full
of Woods, and Wildernesses, doth also
much abound with Snakes and Serpents
of strange colours, and huge greatnesse:
yea there are some Serpents called Rattle-
snakes that haue Rattles in their Tailes,
that will not fly from a man as others will,
[ 103 ] but

New-Englands Plantation

but will flye vpon him and sting him so
mortally, that hee will dye within a quar-
ter of an houre after, except the partie
stinged haue about him some of the root
of an Hcarbe called Snake-weed to bite
on, and then hee shall receiue no harme:
but yet seldomefalles it out that any hurt
is done by these. About three y cares since,
an Indian was stung to death by one of
f hem, but wee heard of none since that
time.

Fourthly and lastly. Here wants as it
were good company of honest Christians
to bring with them Horses, Kine and
Sheepe to make vscofthis fruitfuU Land :
great pitty it is to see so much good ground
for Corne & for Grasse as any is vnder the
Heaucns, to ly altogether vnoccupied,
when so many honest Men and their Fam-
ilies in old £;/^/czW through the populous-
nesse thereof, do make very hard shift to
Hue one by the other.

Now, thus you know what New-Eng-
land is, as also with the commodities and
discommodities thereof: now I will shew
you a little of the Inhabitants thereof, and
their gouernment.

For their Gouernors they haue Kings,

which they call Saggamores, some greater,

and some lesser, according to the number

[ 104 ] of

NeW'Englands Plantation

of their Subjects.

The greatest Saggamores about vs can
not make abouc three hundred Men, and
other lesse Saggamores haue not aboue fif-
teene Subjects, and others neere about vs
but two.

Their Subjects aboue twelue yeares
since were swept away by a great &grieu-
ous Plague that was amongst them, so that
there are verie few left to inhabite the
Country.

The Indians are not able to make vse
of the one fourth part of the Land, neither
haue they any setled places, as Townes to
dwell in, nor any ground as they challenge
for their owne possession, but change their
habitation from place to place.

For their Statures, they are a tall and
strong limmed People, their colours are
tawny, they goe naked, saue onely they
are in part couered with Beasts Skins on
one of their shoulders, and weare some-
thing before their priuities : their Haire
is generally blacke, and cut before like
our Gentelewomen, and onelocke longer
then the rest, much like to our Gentel-
men, which fashion I thinke came from
hence into England.

For their weapons, they haue Bows

and Arrowes, some of them headed with

Bone, and some with Brasse : I haue sent

[ 105 ] you

NeW'Englands Plantation

you some of them for an example.

The Men for the most part liue idely,
they doe nothing but hunt and fish : their
wiues set their Corne and doe all their
other worke. They haue little Houshold
stufFe, as a kettle, and some other Ves-
sels like TrayeSy Spoones, Dishes and Bas-
kets.

Their Houses are verie little and
homely, being made with small Poles
pricked into the ground, and so bended
and fastned at the tops, and on the sides
they are matted with Boughes and cou-
ered on the Roofe with Sedge and old
Mats, and for their beds that they take
their rest on, they haue a Mat.

They doe generally professe to like
well of our comming and planting here;
partly because there is abundance of
ground that they cannot possesse nor make
vse of, and partly because our being heere
will beea meanes both of reliefe to them
when they want, and also a defence jfrom
their Enemies, wherewith (I say) before
this Plantation began, they were often
indangered.

For their religion, they doc worship
two Gods, a good God and an euill God :
the good God they call Tantum^ and their
euill God whom they feare will doe them
hurt, they call Squantum.

[ io6 ] For

NeW'Englands Plantation

For their dealing with vs, we neither
feare them nor trust them, for fourtie of
our Musketeeres will driue fine hundred
of them out of the Field. We vse them
kindly, they will come into our Houses
sometimes by halfe a douzen or halfe a
score at a time when we are at victuals,
but will aske or take nothing but what we
giue them.

We purpose to learne their language
as soone as we can, which will be a meanes
to do them good.

Of the present condition of the Plantation^'
and what it is.

When we came first to Nebumkek^ we
found about halfe a score Houses, and a
faire House newly built for the Gou-
ernor, we found also aboundance of
Corne planted by them, very good and
well liking. And we brought with vs
about two hundred Passengers and Plant-
ers more, which by common consent of
the old Planters were all combined to-
gether into one Body Politicke, vnder the
same Gouernor.

There are in all of vs both old and new

Planters about three hundred, whereof

two hundred of them aresetled ztNebum"

kek^ now called Salem: And the rest haue

[ 107 ] planted

New^Englands Plantation

planted themselues at Masatbulets Bay,
beginning to build a Towne there which
wee doe call Cberton^ or Charles Towne.

We that are setled at Sakm mike what
haste we can to build Houses, so that
within a short time we shall haue a faire
Towne.

We haue great Ordnance, wherewith
wee doubt not but wee shall fortifie our
selues in a short time to keepe out a potent
Aduersary. But that which is our great-
est comfort, and meanes of defence aboue
all other, is, that we haue here the true
Religion and holy Ordinances of Al-
mightie God taught amongst vs : Thankes
be to God, wee haue here plenty of
Preaching, and diligent Catechizing,
with strickt and carefull exercise, and
good and commendable orders to bring
our People into a Christian conuersation
with whom wee haue to doe withall.
And thus wee doubt not but God will be
with vs, and if God be with us, who can be
against us ?

Here ends Master HiggesotCs Relation of
New-England.

[ io8]

A Letter sent from New-England,

by Master Graues, Engynere

now there resident.

^Hus much I can affirme in
generally that I neuer came in a
more goodly Country in all my
life, all things considered: if
it hath not at any timebeene manured and
husbanded, yet it is very beautifuU in
open Lands, mixed with goodly woods,
and againe open plaines, in some places
five hundred Acres, some places more,
some lesse, not much troublesome for to
cleerefor the Plough to goe in, no place
barren, but on the tops of the Hils; the
grassc & weedes grow vp to a man's £ice,
in the Lowlands &by fresh Riuers abound-
ance of grasse and large Meddowes with-
out any Tree or shrubbe to hinder the Sith.
I neuer saw except in Hungaria, vnto
which I alwayes paralell this countrie, in
all our most respects, foreuery thing that
is heere eyther sowne or planted prosper-
eth far better then in old England: the
increase of Corne is here farre beyond ex-
pectation, as I hauc seene hereby experi-
ence in Barly, the which because it is so
much aboue your conception I will not
mention. And Cattle doe prosper very
[ 109 ] well

NeW'Englands Plantation

well, and those that are bredd here farr
greater then those with you in England.
Vines doe grow here plentifully laden
with the biggest Grapes that euer I saw,
some I haue seene foure inches about^ so
that I am bold to say of this countrie, as
it is commonly said in Germany of Hun--
garia, that for Cattel, Corne, and Wine it
excelleth. We haue many more hopefuU
commodities here in this countrie, the
which time will teach to make good vse
of: In the meane time wee abound with
such things which next vnder God doe
make vs subsist, as Fish, Foule, Deere,
and sundrie sorts of fruits, as musk-mil-
lions water-millions, India-Pompions, In-
dian-Pease Beanes, & many other odde
fruits that I cannot name; all which are
made good and pleasant through this
maine blessing of God,thehealthfulnesse
of the countrie which far exceedeth all
parts that euer I haue beene in : It is ob-
serued that few or none doe herefal sicke,
vnless of the Scuruy that they bring from
aboard the Ship with them, whereof I
haue cured some of my companie oncly
by labour. [Thus making an end of an
imperfect Description, and committing
you to God, &c.

[ "o]

A Catalogue of such needefuU
things as euery Planter doth or
ought to prouide to go to New^
England

as namely for one man^ which being
doubled, may serue for as many as
you please, viz.
Victuals for a whole yeere for a man,
and so after the rate for more.

8 Bvsbels of meale. i Gallon of Oyle.
2 Bushels of pease. 2 Gallons of Vinegar.

2 Bushels of Otemeale. i Firkin of Butter.
I Gallon of Aquavits.

Apparell.
I Monmoth Cap. 4 Paire of Shooes.

3 Falling bands. 2 Paire of Sheets.

3 Shirts. 7 Ells of Canuas to

I fVast'Coat. make a bed and boul"

I Suit of Canuase. ster.

I Suit of Frize. i Paire of Blankets.

I Suit of Cloth. I Course Rug.

3 Paire of Stockings.

Armes.
I Armor compleat. i Bandilier.
I Long peece. 20 Pound of Powder.

I Sword. 60 Pound of Lead.

I Belt. \ Pist oil and Goose shot.

Tooles.
I Broad Howe. i Broad Axe.

I Narrow Howe. i Felling Axe.

[ "I ]

NeW'Englands Plantation

I Steele Handsawe.

I Gimblet.

I Whipsawe.

I Hatchet.

I Hafnfner.

2 Frowes.

I Sbouell.

I Hand-Bill.

I Spade.

I Grindstone.

2 Augres.

I Pickaxe.

4 Chissels.

2 Percers stocked.

Nayles of all sorts,

Houshold implements.

I Iron pot.
I Kettel.

I iJ;)//.

^(?(?^«i Platters.

I Frying pan.
I Gridiron.

Dishes.
Spoons.

2 Skellets.

trenchers.

Spices.

Sugar.

Cinnamon.

Pepper.
Cloues.

Nutmegs.
Fruit.

Mace.

Also there are diuers other things neces-
sary to bee taken ouer to this Plantation,
as BookeSy Nets, Hookes and Lines,
Cheese, Bacon, Kine, Goats, &c.

[ "H

The names of the most remark-
able places in New-England,

The old names.

The new names.

Cape Cod.

The Harbor of Cape
Cod.

Cape lames.
Milford Hauen.

Chawum.

Barwick.

Accomack.

Plimouth.

Sagoquas.
Massachusets Mount.

Oxford.
Cheuit Hils.

Massachusets Riuer.

Charles River.

"Totan.

Famouth.

A great Bay by Cape
Anne.

Bristow.

Cape Tragabig sanda.
Naembeck.

Cape Anne.
Bastable, so named by

King Charles: But
by the new Planters

now called Salem.

Aggawom.
Smiths lies.

Southampton.
Smiths lies.

Passasaquack.
Accominticus.

Hull.
Boston.

Sassanows Mount.

Snowdon hill.

Sowocatuck.
Bahanna.

Ipswich.
Dartmouth.

A good Harbor ^th-

Sandwich.

in that Bay.
Ancociscos Mount.

Shuters hill.

Ancocisco.

The Base.

Anmoughcawgen*
Kenebecka.

Cambridge.
Edenborow.

Sagadahock.

Leth.

[ »i

'3 J

New^Englands Plantation

Pemmajfquid.

Segocket.

Mecadacut.

Pennobscot.

Nusket.

Monabigan.

Matinack.

Metinacus.

S. Johns towne.
Norwich.
Dunbarton.
Aberden.
Low mounds.
Bar ties lies.
fVillowbies lies.
Haughtons lies.

But whosoeuer desireth to know as much
as yet can be discouered^ I aduise them
to buy Captaine John Smiths bookc of
the description of New-Eng/and in Folio ;
and reade from FoL 203. to the end; and
there let the Reader expect to haue full
content.

Finis.

SOME BRIEF COLLECTIONS

SOME BRIEF COL-

lections out of a letter that
Mr. Higginson sent to his
friends at Leicester.

HERE are certainly
expected here the next
spring the coming of
60 familyes out Dor-
cettershire,5 who have
by letters signified so
much to the Gov-
erour to desyre him to appoint them
places of habitations they bringing their
ministers with them. Also many fami-
lies are expected out of Lincolnshire^
and a minister with them^ and a great
company of godly christians out of Lon-
don. Such of you as come jfrom Leister,
I would counsell you to come quickly
and that for two reasons, ist, if you lin-
ger too long, the passages of Jordan
through the malice of Sathan, may be
stopped, that you can not come if you
[ 117 ] would.

New-Englands Plantation

would. 2dly, Those that come first speed
best here,and have the priviledge of choos-
ing choice places of habitations. Little
children of 5 years ould may by setting
corne one month be able to get their owne
maintenance abundantly. Oh what a
good worke might you that are rich do
for your poore brethren, to helpe them
with your purses onely to convey them
hither with their children and families^
where they may live as well both for soule
and body as any where in the world. Be-
sides they will recompense the cost by
helping to build houses and plant your
ground for a tyme; which shall be diffi-
cult worke at the first, exceptyou have the
helpe of many hands. Mr. Johnson out
of Lincolnshire and many others, have
helped our godly christians hither to be
employed in their worke, for a while, and
then to live of themselves. We have here
about 40 goats that give milke, and as many
milch kyne; we have 6 or /mares and an
horse, and do every day expect the com-
ing of half a score mares more, and3oKyne
by two shipps that are to follow us.^ They
that come let them bring mares, kyne,
and sheepe as many as they can : Ireland
is the best place to provide sheepe, and lyes
in the way. Bring none that are in lambe,
nor mares in foale; for they are in more
[ 118 ] danger

NeW'Englands Plantation

danger to perish at sea. Of all trades car-
penters are most needful, therefore bring
as many as you can. It were a wise course
for those of ability es to joyne together and
buy a shipp for the voyage and other mer-
chandize. For the governour would that
any man may employ his stocke in what
merchandises he please, excepting only
beaver skins, which the company of mer-
chants reserve to themselves, and the man-
aging of the publique stocke. If any be
of the mynde to buy a shipp my cousin
Noweirs^ counsell would be good. Also
one Mr. [BeecherJ a very godly man and
the master of the ship we went in, and
likewise one Mr. Graves the master^s
maite dwelling in Wapping may herein
staund you in stead. The payment of the
transportation of things is wondrous deare,
as 5/ a man and 1 0/ a horse and commonly
3/ for every tunne of goodes : so that a lit-
tle more than will pay for the passage will
purchase the possession of a ship for all
together.

No man hath or can have a house
built for him here unlesse he comes him-
selfe, or else send servants before to do it
for him. It was an errour that I now per-
ceive both in myselfe, and others did con-
ceive by not rightly understanding the
merchaunts meaning. For we thought
[ 119 ] that

NeW'Englands Plantation

that all that put in their money into the
common stocke; should have a house
built for them^ besides such a portion of
the land; but it was not so. They shall
indeed have so much land allotted to
them when they come to take possession
of it and make use of it, but if they will
have houses they must build them. In-
deed we that are ministers, and all the
rest that were entertained and sent over
and maintained by the rest of the com-
pany, as their servants, for such a tyme
in such employments, all such are to
have houses built them of the comyan-
ies charge and no others nor otherwise.
They that put money into the stocke,
as they do a good worke to helpe for-
wards so worthy a plantation, so all the
gayne they are likely to have, is accord-
ing to the increase of the stocke at 3
years end, by the trade of beaver, besides
the lands which they shall enjoy when
they will.

AH that come must have victualls with
them for a twelve month, I meane they
must have meale, oatmeale and such like
sustenaunce of food, till they can gett
increase of corne by their owne labour.
For, otherwise, so many may come with-
out provision at the first, as that our small
beginnings may not be sufficient to main-
[ 120 ] tayne

z\

New^Englands Plantation

tayne them.

Before you come be careful! to be
strongly instructed what things are fittest
to bring with you for your more comfort-
able passage at sea, as also for your hus-
bandrey occasions when you come to the
land. For when you are once parted with
England you shall meete neither with
taverns nor alehouse, nor butchers, nor
grosers, nor apothecaries shops to helpp
what things you need, in the midst of the
great ocean, nor when you are come to
land here are yet neither markets nor
fayres to buy what you want. Therefore
be sure to furnish yourselves with things
fitting to be had before you come ; as
meale for bread, malt for drinke, woolen
and linnen cloath, and leather for shoes,
and all manner of carpenters tools, and a
good deale of iron and Steele to make
nails, and lockes, for houses, and furni-
ture for ploughs and carts, and glasse for
windowes, and many other things which
were better for you to think of them
than to want them here.

Whilst I was writing this letter my
wifFe brought me word that the fishers
had caught 1600 basse at one draught,
which if they were in England were
worth many a pound.

/T\

NOTES

NOTES.

1. Thomas Hutchinson, the historian of
Massachusetts, attributed this document to
Francis Higginson, but Alexander Young
and Robert C. Winthrop have shown that
another draft of these " Considerations,"

in the handwriting of Forth Winthrop, and '-^

now preserved in the Winthrop Papers,

was probably inspired by John Winthrop. ^

Another copy in the English State Paper

Office is endorsed "White of Dorchester ^

his instructions for the plantation of New

England."

2. Quote, /. e. quost, an obsolete spelling of
coast.

3. The manuscript now in the library of the
Massachusetts Historical Society, ends at
this point, the following pages having been
lost since it was in the possession of Hutchin-
son. The remainder of the journal of the
voyage is reprinted from Hutchinson's
" Collection of Original Papers relative to
the History of the Colony of Massachusetts

Bay," Boston, 1769. ^^ ^"7%

4.^ Gloucester harbor. ' ^^

5. These were the settlers who came with
Maverick.

6. The emigrants from Boston, England.

7. The "Four Sisters "and the "Mayflower."

8. Increase Norwell, afterward Secretary of the
Colony.

INDEX

INDEX

K

AberdcDy 114.
Accomackyiij.
Accomintusy 113.
Aggawom, 113.
Airof NewEngland, 29^ 98.
AncodscOy 113.
Ancociscos Mounts 113.
AnmoughcawgeDy 113.
Ash trees^ 269 95.
Assurance (ship)^ 62.

Bahanna, 113.
Barley, 109.
Barties Isles, 114.
Barwick, 113.
Bass, 27, 97.
Bastable, 113.
Beans, 110.
Bears, 26, 95.
Beavers, 26, 95, 119.
Beech trees, 26, 95.
Beecher, Mr., 63, 119.
Berries, 25, 94.
Birch trees, 26, 95.
Birds, 31, 100.
Biscay ship, 65.
Black, Goodman, 76.
Boats, Fishing, 28, 97.
Borley, Capt., 64.
Boston, 113.
Boston (Eng.), 125.
Bows and arrows, 35, 105.
Brass, 35, 105.
Bricb, 23, 91.
Bright, Francis, 53, 54.
Bristow Bay, 113.

[ I

Brookelime, 25, 94.
Browne, Mr., 65.
Butter, III.

Cambridge, 113.
Candles, 32, 102.
Cannon, 37, 60, 108.
Cape Ann, 26, T], 78, 79,

95> es-
cape Cod, 113.
Cape James, 113.
Cape Tragabig sanda, 113.
Carrots, 25, 93.
Carvel, 25, 94.
Cattle, 23, 34, 60, 92, 104,

109, 118.
Cedar trees, 26, 95.
Charles I, 6.

Charles River, 22, 90, 113.
Charlestown, 37, 108.
Chawum, 113.
Cherries, 26, 94.
Cherton, 37, 108.
Chestnuts, 25, 94.
Chevit hills, 113.
Christopher Islands, 65.
Churches of Europe, 41.
Claybrook Parish (Eng. ), 6.
Cloth, 25, 94.
Clothing for New England,

30, 100, III.
Codfish, 27, 96.
Cordage, 25, 94.
Com, 23, 35, 36, 92, 107,

109, 118, 120.
Cornwall (Eng.), 64.

29]

INDEX

Cowcastle (Eng. )9 62.
Cowes (£1^.), 63.
Crabs, 28, 97.
Cucumbers, 25, 94.
Currants, 25, 94.
Cush, 28, 97.
Cypress trees, 26, 95.

Dartmouth ( £ng. ), 113.
Death of cluld, 66, 76 ; of

sulor, 75.
Deer, 26, 27, 95, 96.
Dog fell overboard, 69.
Dorchester (Eng.), 59, 60,

117.
Ducks, 31, loi.
Dunbarton, 114.
Dye stu^, 26, 95.

Eagle, 31, loi.
Edenborow, 113.
Education, 41.
Eels, 28, 97.
Endecott, Gov., 5, 79.

Falmouth, 113.

Fast kept, 67, 71.

Filberts, 25, 94.

Files, 23, 91.

Fir trees, 26, 95.

Fires in New England, 32,

102.
Fish, 27, 96, 121.
Fishing nets, 28, 97.
Force, Peter, 8.
Four Sisters (ship), 60, 125.
Foxes, 26, 95.

Geese, 31, loi.

George (ship), 60, 79.
Gibs, Mr., 66.
Gloucester, 125.
Gnats, 33, 103.

[>3

Goats, 23, 60, 92, 1 1 8.
Gods, Indian, 36, 106.
Goffe, Mr., 69.
Gooseberries, 78.
Governor's house, 36, 107.
Grain, 25, 93.
Grampus, 27, 96.
Grapes, 25, 94, no.
Grass, 23, 92.
Graves, Mr., 109, 119.
Gravesend (Eng.), 61.
Gum, 26, 95.

Haddock, 28, 97.

Harbors, 27, 96.

Haughton's Isles, 114.

Hawkes, 31, loi.

Health in New England, 29,
99.

Herbs, 25, 94.

Herring, 28, 97.

Higginson, Rev. Francis, 5-
II, 54, 117, 125; &m-
ily of* 7 f health of, 29,
81, 99 ; sickness of child,
30, 65, 100 ; agreement
with, 5 1 ; sea journal of,
57 ; sails from England,
59 ; death of child, 66 ;
lands at Neihumkek, 79 ;
seasickness of wife, 81 ;
letter to friends at Leices-
ter, 117.

Higginson, Mary, 63, 65.

Higginson, Samuel, 65,
68.

Hogs, 23, 27, 92, 96.

Horses, 23, 34, 60, 92,
104, 118, 119.

Household implements, 112.

Houses, 119.

Houses of Indians, 3$, io6.

HuU, 113.

INDEX

Hungarian 109, no.
Hutchinson, Gov. Thomas,
II, 125.

Iceberg, 72.

Indians, purchase com, 24,
93; dyes used by, 26,
95 ; lights used by, 32,
102 ; killed by a rattle-
snake, 33, 104; Saga-
mores of, 34, 1 04 ^num-
ber of, 34, 195; de-
stroyed by the plague, 34,
47, 105; unable to use
all the land, 34, 105;
have no settled places, 34,
105; personal appearance,
35, 105; clothing, 35,
105 ; veeapons, 35, 105;
utensils, 35, 106 ; houses,
35, 106; approve coming
of Englishmen, 35, 106;
religion, 36, 106; lan-
guage, 36, 107; title to
land, 46 ; place names,

US-
Ipswich, 113.

Isle of Wight, 62.

Johnson, Mr., 118.
Juniper trees, 26, 95.

Kenebecka, 113.

Land, abundance of, 34, 3 5,

104, 106.
Leather, 26, 95.
Leeks, 25, 94.
Leicester (Eng. ), 6, 117.
Leith, 113.
lincolnshire (Eng.), 117,

118.
lions, 26, 95.

[ 1

Lion's Whelp (ship), 60,

61, 66, 73, 74, 76.
Liverwort, 25, 94.
Lobsters, 28, 97.
London (Eng.), 59.

Mackerell, 27, 96,

Marble, 23, 91.

Marble-harbour, 23, 91.

Margate (Eng.), 61.

Martins, 26, 95.

Massachusetts, 113.

Massachusetts Bay, 22, 90.

Massachusetts Bay> settle-
ment at, 37; 107.

Massachusetts Bay Com*
pany, 6.

Masts, 26, 95.

Matinack, 114,

Maverick, John, 125,

Mayflower (ship), 60, 125.

Mecadacut, 1 14.

Meere, Mr., 64.

Melons, no.

Metinacus, 114.

Milk, 23, 92.

Minerals, 23, 91.

Molke, 26, 95.

Monahigan, 1 14.

Moose, 26, 95.

Mosquitoes, 33, 103.

Mulberries, 25, 94.

Mullet, 28, 97.

Mussels, 28, 97.

Names of places, 113.

Neihumkek, 78, 79, 113J
see also Salem.

New England, 21, 89; soil,
2 2 , 90, 1 09 ; minerals, 2 3 ,
91 ; growth of vegetables,
25, 93; woods, 26, 95;
wild beasts, 26, 95; fish.

31 ]

INDEX

27,96; air, 29, 98; sea-
sons, 30, 100; birds, 31,
I o I ; discomforts, 3 3 , 1 o 3 ;
winters, 33, 103; unoc-
cupied land in, 34, 104;
condition of plantation in,
36, 107; reasons for set-
ding in, 41; journal of
voyage to, 57; healthful-
ness, 82, no; clothing
for. III; arms for, 1 1 1 ;
.tools for, 111,121; house-
hold implements for, 112,
121; places in, 113; fur-
ther emigration to, 117;
cost of transportation to,
119; food for, 120.

« ' New-England's Planta-
tion," manuscript sent to
England, 7 ; editions print-
ed, 7; reprinted, 8; biblio-
graphical description, 8;
census of known copies,
10; ^csimile of first edi-
tion, 17; reprint of third
edition, 87.

Norwich, 114.

Nowell, Increase, 1 19, 1 25.

Nusket, 114.

Oak trees, 26, 95.
Oatmeal, ill.
Oil, 32, 102, III.
Onions, 25, 94.
Otters, 26, 95,
Oxford, 113.
Oysters, 28, 97.

Parsnips, 25, 93.
Partridges, 31, lOl.
Passasaquack, 113*
Pease, 25, 93, no, in.
Pennobscot, 1 14.

Pennyroyal, 25, 94.

Pemmayquid, 114.

Pigeons, 31, loi.

Pine trees, 26, 32, 95, 102.

Pitch, 26, 95.

Plague destroyed Indians,

34* I OS-
Planters at Neihumkek, 56,

107.
Plymouth, 24, 93, 113.
Portsmouth (Eng.), 62.
Pumpkins, 25, 94, no.

Raspberries, 25, 94.
Rattlesnakes, 33, 103.
Roses, 25, 78, 94.

Sagadahock, 113.

Sagoquas, 113.

St. Johns towne, 114.

Salem, Landing at, 6; name,
22, 37» 90, 107, 113;
harbor, 27, 96; wells, 29,
98; houses, 36, 37, 107,
108; number of setders,
36, 107; harbor, 79.

Salmon, 27, 97.

Salt, 28, 98.

Saltpeter, 26, 95.

Sandwich, 113.

Sassafras, 26, 95.

Sassanows Mount, 113.

Schools of Europe, 41.

Seasickness, 62, 64,

Segocket, 114.

Sheep, 118.

Ships, 60.

Shuter's hill, 113.

Sickness, 29, 62, 64, 99.

Skate, 28, 97.

Skelton, Rev. Samuel, 6, 53,

54-
Smallpox, 65, 66, 70, 75.

32 ]

INDEX

Smith, Rev., 67.
Smith, Capt. John, 114.
Smith's Isles, 113.
Snakeweed, 33, 104.
Snakes, 33, 103.
Snowdon hill, 113.
Soap ashes, 26, 95.
Soil of New England, 22,90.
Soldiers, 36, 107.
Sorrel, 25, 94.
Southampton, 113.
Sowocatuck, 113.
Sparke, Michael, 17, 87.
Spices, 112.
Spruce trees, 26, 95.
Squirrels, 26, 95.
Stone, Building, 23, 95.
Storm at sea, 69.
Strawberries, 25, 31, 78,

94, loi.
Sturgeon, 28, 97.
Sumach, 26, 95.

Talbot (ship), 60, 61.
Tar, 26, 95.
Thornback, 28, 97.
Tools for New England, 1 1 1 .
Torches, 32, 103.
Totan, 113.
Trees, 26, 95.
Turbot, 28, 97.
Turkeys, 31, loi.

Turnips, 25, 93.
Turpentine, 26, 95.

Vegetables, 25, 93.

Vinegar, iii.

Voyage to New England, 5 9.

Walnuts, 25, 94.
Wapping (Eng.), 119.
Watercress, 25, 94.
Weapons of Indians, 35,

105.
Wells, 29, 98.
Whales, 27, 96.
White, John, 125.
White benjamin gum, 26,

95-
Whitethorn, 25, 94.
Wild cats, 26, 95.
Willow trees, 26, 95.
Willowbies Isles, 114.
Winship, George Parker, 1 1 .
Wintersavory, 25, 94.
Winter season, 33, 103.
Winthrop, Forth, 125.
Winthrop, Robert C, 125.
Wolves, 26, 95.
Wood, William, 7.
Woods, 26, 94.

Yarmouth (Eng.), 63.
Young, Alexander, 8, 125.

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WIDENER LIBRARY

Harvard CoUege, Cambridge, MA 02138: (617)495-2413

If the item is recalled, tlie borrower will be notified of

the need for an earlier retiirnu (Non-receipt of overdue

notices does not exempt the Imii i ihh i fi mn mm diiP fiih i )

[^ V.' 1 3 C "J E R ^

g MAY 3 2006 <
'yWR 1 5 2006 15
> CANCELLED U>

•

Thank you for hewing us to preserve our coUecdonl